Abaya apologizes for lack of airconditioning at NAIA T1

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications on Wednesday appealed to public for patience and understanding for the lack of airconditioning at the Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The DOTC said that the warm temperature inside the  terminal is an effect of the ongoing rehabilitation works at the airport.

"We understand how inconvenient it is to endure these conditions inside the airport’s facilities, especially during this peak season.  While the airconditioning system is functioning, temperature is affected by rehabilitation works.  We appeal to you to kindly bear with us, as this is all part of the ongoing project which will ensure T1’s structural integrity for the continued safety of its users," DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said.

The rehabilitation of the  NAIA T1  began last January. It is expected to be completed by January next year.

The T1 management from the Manila International Airport Authority  said that certain air handling units had to be shut off to prevent dust and particles from being sucked into the airconditioning system, otherwise the whole system could be endangered. 

A safety net  also covers the departure hall’s ceiling, which affects air circulation, the MIAA added.

MIAA also reported that, to upgrade the airconditioning system while the NAIA T1 Rehabilitation Project is ongoing, it will have four new chillers delivered by August this year.  These will be in addition to the three chillers which are currently operational.  Meanwhile, all AHUs are up for replacement before the year ends.

The NAIA T1 Rehabilitation Project entails structural retrofitting, certain architectural works, and the improvement of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection facilities.  In the terminal’s 30-year existence, this is the first time that government is undertaking a major project to ensure its structural integrity and to improve its worn-out facilities.

Last week, Abaya inspected the project’s progress along with DOTC’s independent engineer, TCGI Engineers, Inc.  Contractor D.M. Consunji, Inc. showed the current construction site for additional baggage carousels at the arrival area, as well as a mock-up of the planned refurbishment of the terminal’s ceiling and carpeting, for better aesthetics.

"Our sacrifices now will lead to much better facilities and services in less than a year’s time. We are confident that the public will find these inconveniences to have been worth it once the project is completed," Abaya added.