MIAA vows to complete electrical audit amid repeated power outage at NAIA
The comprehensive plan for the electrical audit of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been mapped out in a bid to prevent the occurrence of power outage that has repeatedly hit the country’s main airports this year alone, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said on Wednesday, June 14.
In a statement, MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co said they have already met with the teams from MServ and the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and discussed plans to complete the thorough electrical system audit that will significantly enhance airport operations.
"The MIAA is confident that with Mserv's expertise and proven track record, they will be able to bring out the coveted solutions to the present state of NAIA's electrical systems,” said Co.
"Times are very challenging for us now; but be that as it may, we are taking steps and exploring all ways possible to achieve our deliverables based on our established priorities," he added.
NAIA has been hit with at least three power outages this year alone, the biggest was in January when thousands of passengers were stranded due to canceled and delayed flights.
Last week, the NAIA 3 was also hit with power outage but a statement of Meralco attributed it to the negligence of one of its personnel that conducted the testing.
Aside from addressing the electrical system issues, Consaud focus they will also initiate significant rehabilitation, upgrades and improvements to facilities and passenger processing systems.
Some of them, he said, are the replacement of passenger boarding bridges, replacement of chillers, upgrading of taxiways, expanding the coverage of its CCTV system, digitization of airport operations and passenger systems among others.
He said the completion of the major projects is in 24 to 36 months’ time.
On the other hand, he said projects that would highly impact on passengers like construction of additional comfort rooms in NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and the rehabilitation of existing ones are underway.
In Terminal 3, the MIAA has earlier announced the immediate construction of additional immigration counters thereby increasing the now 30 counters to 36.
“MIAA also hopes to complete by December this year, the construction of an immigration annex, where six four man counters will be constructed or twenty 24 more immigration officers can be deployed. Once completed, the annex will serve as processing area for OFWs, PWDs, senior citizens and diplomats,” said Co.
“Apart from facilities, MIAA is constantly studying process flows in a bid to reduce congestion points so passengers can have a more convenient airport experience. The removal of the initial security checkpoints in the terminals have proven to be a welcome relief to travelers,” he added.