Marcos orders probe into Naia-1 bollards after fatal crash
(INQUIRER / Grig C. Montegrande)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered an investigation into the procurement and installation of bollards at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 where a Sunday crash claimed two lives, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Tuesday.
“Pinaiimbestigahan na po kung paano po ang naging procurement pati iyong specifications, iyon po ay sa pag-uutos po ng Pangulo at ito po ay tutugunan kaagad-agad ni [current Transportation] Secretary Vince Dizon. At pati po ang pag-i-inspect sa mga bollards at ang mabilisang pagpapalit po dito para sa safety po ng nakakarami,” she also said.
(An investigation has been ordered into how the procurement and specifications were carried out, as directed by the President, and this will be immediately addressed by [current Transportation] Secretary Vince Dizon. This includes the inspection of the bollards and their prompt replacement to ensure the safety of the public.)
READ: NNIC audits bollards at Naia, redesigns drop-off zones
Bollards are short vertical posts used to control traffic and prevent vehicles from colliding with pedestrians and structures.
A four-year-old girl and a 28-year-old man died on Sunday after a sports utility vehicle rammed them at the terminal.
Several individuals pointed out how the bollards at the terminal failed to prevent the vehicle from hitting the victims.
“Nakakalungkot po may mga nasawi dahil sa diumanong depektibo na bollards na na-install po sa NAIA Terminal I. At ito po, na-install sa panahon po ng dating administrasyon at sa panahon po ni Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade,” Castro said.
(It is sad that there were fatalities allegedly due to defective bollards installed at NAIA Terminal I. These were installed during the previous administration and under the term of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.)
READ: MIAA, SMC probing, replacing faulty bollards after Naia accident
Meanwhile, on Monday, both the Manila International Airport Authority and the San Miguel Corporation said they are already investigating why the bollards did not stop the vehicle from hitting the victims.
