2 hurt as portions of NAIA-1 ceiling collapse

MANILA, Philippines -  Two employees were injured when chunks of concrete around three inches thick fell from the ceiling of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (NAIA-1) baggage conveyor area, which is at the basement, before dawn yesterday.

Security guard Flordeliza Tayson was hit on the head while lift operator Rommel Reyes was hit in the right leg. Witnesses said Tayson was checking a pallet brought by Reyes when the incident happened at around 5 a.m. The two were rushed to the Makati Medical Center.

Tayson was confined while Reyes was allowed to go home after treatment.

At 3 p.m. yesterday, another portion of the ceiling – this time near Bay 7 at NAIA-1 – collapsed, but no one was hurt.

Sources said this could happen again at the NAIA-1 because the terminal is around 28 years old and needs repair.