Senator wants safety check on NAIA-3

Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan said yesterday the government should conduct a comprehensive safety check on Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) after part of its ceiling collapsed the other day.

“This is the third time something like this has happened. Luckily, there were no casualties this time. We cannot allow a similar incident to happen again. Do we need more proof of the airport’s substandard construction?” Pangilinan asked.

“But if they can’t keep it safe, then I strongly urge them to temporarily shut down NAIA-3 and fix it,” he added.

Pangilinan also called for an investigation into the mishaps. Since its construction in 1997, the NAIA-3 has been haunted by technical and structural concerns.

He said the terminal began operating last July after a long-drawn legal battle between the Philippine government and the airport contractors in international courts.

Several related cases have also been filed against government officials accused of graft, corruption and laundering.

Meanwhile, a woman tried to commit suicide at the fourth floor of the NAIA-3 departure lounge yesterday.

Levi Garma, 42, tied a scarf around her neck and attached the other end of the scarf to a railing near the elevator and tried to jump. People waiting at the lounge rushed to prevent Garma from falling.

Garma said she was sick of her husband’s womanizing and decided to leave their home in Quirino province. She had gone to the airport to catch a flight for Cebu City.   – Christina Mendez, Rudy Santos