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Bong Go urges MIAA, airline execs to ensure contingency plans are in place
Philippines
National
Bong Go urges MIAA, airline execs to ensure contingency plans are in place
Bong Go urges MIAA, airline execs to ensure contingency plans are in place
Published May 4, 2023 01:11 am
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has called on the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and airline officials to have more contingency plans in place, including having backup power and facilities to accommodate stranded passengers.
Go made the call following the power outage that hit the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 3 on Labor Day, last Monday, May 1.
The senator stressed the need to improve services in NAIA, being the primary gateway to the country, saying authorities should exert all efforts necessary to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
“Nakikiusap po ako sa ating otoridad, sa ating management ng NAIA, kapag may ganung aberya, dapat ready agad ang Plan B. Nandiyan ‘yung reserved power ninyo, at asikasuhin n’yo po ang mga pasahero (My appeal to the authorities, the NAIA management, if there are disruptions like that, they should be ready with Plan B. The reserved power should be ready and they should take care of the passengers),” Go said in an interview in Buruanga, Aklan.
“Pagkain, mayroon silang matitirahan muna, at komportable naman na hindi lang nakahiga lang diyan sa gilid (They should be given food, temporary shelter that is comfortable and not just let them loiter on the sides),” he stressed.
Likewise, the management of NAIA, as well as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), should take their responsibilities seriously and ensure that they do everything they can to prevent power outages from occurring.
“Paigtingin n’yo po ang inyong pagtatrabaho, dahil tuwing mayroon pong aberya – kahit isang oras na nagkakaroon ng power outage – domino effect ‘yan, (Please do your job, because every time there is a glitch—even for just an hour—there is a domino effect),” said Go.
Such domino effect, he said, is bound to affect both local and foreign travelers particularly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“Yung iba diyan, galing pa po ng probinsya, pupunta ng Maynila, mag-aantay ng dalawang oras. Eh, kapag na-delay, ang tanong diyan, babayaran ba ang rebooking nila dahil sa aberya (Others came from the province, then they will travel to Manila, they will wait for two hours. If they get delayed, the question is, are they willing to shoulder the rebooking expenses because of the glitch?” he pointed out.
The Labor Day outage at NAIA 3, which lasted eight hours, happened exactly four months after a similar incident occurred on New Year’s Day that led to the shutdown of the country’s airspace.
At least 9,391 passengers were affected as several flights were either canceled or delayed due to the incident.
Go said the government must do more to ensure that airport management is properly prepared for such situations.
He recalled that during the Duterte administration, more than 200 airport projects were completed, with priority given to airports in Bicol, Cebu, and Aklan.
The lawmaker praised the improvements made in these facilities and emphasized the importance of prioritizing infrastructure development to benefit the Filipino people.
Go made the call following the power outage that hit the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 3 on Labor Day, last Monday, May 1.
The senator stressed the need to improve services in NAIA, being the primary gateway to the country, saying authorities should exert all efforts necessary to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
“Nakikiusap po ako sa ating otoridad, sa ating management ng NAIA, kapag may ganung aberya, dapat ready agad ang Plan B. Nandiyan ‘yung reserved power ninyo, at asikasuhin n’yo po ang mga pasahero (My appeal to the authorities, the NAIA management, if there are disruptions like that, they should be ready with Plan B. The reserved power should be ready and they should take care of the passengers),” Go said in an interview in Buruanga, Aklan.
“Pagkain, mayroon silang matitirahan muna, at komportable naman na hindi lang nakahiga lang diyan sa gilid (They should be given food, temporary shelter that is comfortable and not just let them loiter on the sides),” he stressed.
Likewise, the management of NAIA, as well as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), should take their responsibilities seriously and ensure that they do everything they can to prevent power outages from occurring.
“Paigtingin n’yo po ang inyong pagtatrabaho, dahil tuwing mayroon pong aberya – kahit isang oras na nagkakaroon ng power outage – domino effect ‘yan, (Please do your job, because every time there is a glitch—even for just an hour—there is a domino effect),” said Go.
Such domino effect, he said, is bound to affect both local and foreign travelers particularly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“Yung iba diyan, galing pa po ng probinsya, pupunta ng Maynila, mag-aantay ng dalawang oras. Eh, kapag na-delay, ang tanong diyan, babayaran ba ang rebooking nila dahil sa aberya (Others came from the province, then they will travel to Manila, they will wait for two hours. If they get delayed, the question is, are they willing to shoulder the rebooking expenses because of the glitch?” he pointed out.
The Labor Day outage at NAIA 3, which lasted eight hours, happened exactly four months after a similar incident occurred on New Year’s Day that led to the shutdown of the country’s airspace.
At least 9,391 passengers were affected as several flights were either canceled or delayed due to the incident.
Go said the government must do more to ensure that airport management is properly prepared for such situations.
He recalled that during the Duterte administration, more than 200 airport projects were completed, with priority given to airports in Bicol, Cebu, and Aklan.
The lawmaker praised the improvements made in these facilities and emphasized the importance of prioritizing infrastructure development to benefit the Filipino people.