P1.16 billion earmarked for rehab of NAIA 1

MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino administration is set to infuse P1.16 billion to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (NAIA-1) as part of efforts to transform it into a world-class transport facility.

The move aims to increase tourist arrivals in the country, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said.

He also said the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) would be using the fund for urgent structural and other rehabilitation work, as well as for the construction of a rapid exit taxiway. 

Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas said that in rehabilitating the airport, the government would have to prioritize the structural improvements first.

The P1.16 billion will come from the Public-Private Partnership Support Fund in the Transportation department’s budget for 2011.

Of the amount, P340 million would be used to improve the NAIA-1 building to make it compliant with the 2010 National Structural Code of the Philippines.

The building, originally designed for 4.5 million passengers per year, now services 7.3 million passengers yearly.

The government is also allocating P500 million for architectural, engineering and interior design improvement for the airport’s internal facilities.

Part of the money will also fund the increase in the number of immigration counters, Abad said.

The government, meanwhile, will use P300 million for the construction of a rapid exit taxiway, aimed at easing runway congestion.

“This will not only address travel delays but will also enhance safety of passengers,” Abad said.

The government also set aside P20 million for the rehabilitation of all 72 lavatories in the NAIA-1 building.

The NAIA Terminal 1 now ranks No.1 among the “Worst Airports in the World,” according to the interactive website, “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports.”

The lack of comfortable facilities and seating areas were among the reasons cited by travelers who reviewed different airports across the globe. - With Aurea Calica