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Rudy Santos - The Philippine Star
May 7, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Bollards that weren’t buried deep enough contributed to the car crash incident on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
While the barrier posts installed in 2019 are made of solid steel, they could not be imbedded deeper into the concrete since the arrival area is below it, MIAA general manager Eric Ines said yesterday.
“It might penetrate (too deep into the concrete) and fall onto something (in the arrival area),” he said.
Engineers of the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) and MIAA on Monday inspected the bollards, which were meant to withstand vehicle crashes and ensure pedestrian safety.
A four-year-old girl and a man died and four others were injured on Sunday after a car plowed into a crowd and crashed near the NAIA Terminal 1 entrance.
Auditing NAIA bollards
Bollards across NAIA are being audited and departure passenger drop-off areas at Terminals 1 and 2 are being redesigned by the NNIC.
The audit would determine where reinforcements for existing bollards, such as deeper foundations or structural upgrades, are needed, NNIC general manager Angelito Alvarez said.
Meanwhile, the diagonal passenger drop-off layout at Terminals 1 and 2 will be modified into a safer parallel unloading configuration.
The NNIC assumed operations of NAIA in September 2024 through a public-private partnership aimed at modernizing and improving the country’s main international gateway.
Inter-agency support
Families of victims of the NAIA car crash and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) multiple-vehicle collision will receive inter-agency support, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Ten people died including four children and 37 others were injured after a speeding bus crashed into multiple vehicles at the SCTEX toll plaza on May 1.
Each of the 10 victims’ families received burial assistance worth P50,000 from the DSWD.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian condoled with the family of a Plaridel, Bulacan couple who died in the SCTEX traffic collision.
Bereaved families will be linked with other state agencies to receive aid, Gatchalian said.
As requested by the Bulacan couple’s family, the DSWD will coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation to remove pictures of the couple’s child posted on the internet.
“We will also bring them to the Department of Justice so they can get the justice they deserve,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian recently went to the wake of Dearick Keo Faustino, one of two casualties of the incident at NAIA.
“Went to the wake of Dearick in Hagonoy, Bulacan to hand-deliver DSWD assistance and to talk to the family to assure them that the department is ready to help,” he posted on Facebook.
President Marcos earlier condoled with victims and vowed to reform the transport system and ensure accountability in the two incidents.
At yesterday’s oath-taking of newly promoted Philippine Coast Guard officers, Marcos honored a PCG member who died in the accident at SCTEX.
“Let us take a moment to honor and remember Seawoman Second Class Dain Janica Rendoque Alinas,” the President said.
Alinas, 32, and her husband Jon-jon, 34, were among the 10 casualties. The couple’s two-year-old son, who was secured in his car seat, survived.
Accountability
Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas yesterday demanded a thorough and independent probe into the incident at NAIA.
Brosas said the incident raises questions about corruption and negligence since documents showed the bollards were installed during the Duterte administration’s NAIA rehabilitation program under then-transportation secretary Arthur Tugade.
“When contractors cut corners and use substandard materials, when officials turn a blind eye to proper inspections, it is the Filipino people who pay the ultimate price,” Brosas said.
Officials involved in the procurement, installation and inspection of the bollards must be investigated, she asserted.
Similar safety infrastructure in public facilities nationwide should be reviewed immediately, she noted.
Malacañang has expressed support for the probe into the substandard bollards and called for their immediate replacement.
OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino has urged agencies to provide aid to bereaved families.
“All passengers whose flights were affected must be provided with proper assistance and compensation,” she said.
Meanwhile, Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Raffy Tulfo have expressed alarm over child fatalities in the NAIA and SCTEX incidents.
Gatchalian called on the government to ensure child-friendly infrastructure, while Tulfo called for the regular maintenance of PUVs and stringent issuance of driver’s licenses.
– Jose Rodel Clapano, Helen Flores, Alexis Romero, Marc Jayson Cayabyab
