Aquino satisfied with NAIA upgrades

President Benigno Aquino III inspects NAIA (Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — Shortly after inspecting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 for the Holy Week exodus on Wednesday, President Benigno Aquino III has expressed satisfaction at renovation works being done at the airport.

During inspection, President Aquino was accompanied by Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado, and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino.

President Benigno Aquino III inspects NAIA (Malacanang Photo Bureau)

MIAA said in a statement that President Aquino inspected passenger facilities such as X-ray machines, check-in counters, and airport lounges while in Terminal 3.

The President then proceeded to Terminal 1 where renovation works were ongoing and noticed that “a lot has changed” in the old terminal given careful planning.

He also mentioned to Honrado that beautification of the terminal was crucial to making tourists feel that it is certainly “more fun in the Philippines.”

President Aquino meanwhile said that he was confident that renovation works will be on schedule for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) late this year.

Before the President’s inspection, two Malacanang officials —Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte –last March 3 also visited the airport to check on repairs being done.

Both officials were accompanied by NAIA T1 manager Dante Basanta.

President Benigno Aquino III inspects NAIA (Malacanang Photo Bureau)

Valte even shared photos of the airport’s new facilities including flight information display boards, check in counters, weighing and feeder conveyors, and four new chillers via Twitter.

She also said that there were also new check in counters, better lighting, and renovated lavatories.

At present, renovation of Terminal 1 is 85 percent complete.

Honrado earlier said that the airport rehab project in Terminal 1 is expected to finish in May this year for Php 1.3 billion.

The rehab project was initially set to be finalized by January 2015 although according to Abaya the slight delay was acceptable given that airport was 30 years old.

He also admitted that technical problems had generated delays in the completion of the project.

President Benigno Aquino III inspects NAIA (Malacanang Photo Bureau)