Statement of Malacañang on Issue Surrounding Bollards at NAIA Terminal 1
Malacañang Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro spoke on the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 bollards after the deadly road accident that took lives.
Countless Filipinos were left shocked and saddened by the recent NAIA Terminal 1 accident that killed two people. The casualties were a 28-year-old male and a 4-year-old female. The child was a daughter of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was supposed to fly back to abroad for work.
The 4-year-old child was identified as Malia Masongsong. Her mother, Cynthia, and her grandmother were also left injured by the accident. According to the driver of the SUV that rammed the people at NAIA, he panicked. The remains of the victims were already brought home to Bulacan and Batangas.
The father of Malia could not accept what happened to his daughter. He called on the government for help in securing justice over the death of his daughter. His wife underwent a surgery and just knew the unfortunate fate of their daughter.
The driver of the SUV responsible over the NAIA Terminal 1 accident is facing multiple charges. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Malacañang revealed that Pres. Bongbong Marcos also ordered the probe on the bollards at the airport.
A bollard at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 failed to stop the vehicle from ramming the people at the entrance of the Departure Area of NAIA. Instead, the SUV removed it resulting the deaths of two (2) people and injuries on many others.
According to Malacañang press officer Atty. Claire Castro, the allegedly defective bollards that resulted to the death of two (2) people were installed during the previous administration. She stressed that it was installed during the time of Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
“Nakakalungkot na may mga nasawi dahil sa diumanong depektibo na bollards na nainstall sa NAIA Terminal 1. At ito po ay nainstall sa panahon ng dating administrasyon, sa panahon ni Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade,” she said.
Based on the report, Castro said that the procurement and the implications of the bollards are already being investigated upon the orders of Pres. Bongbong Marcos. According to the Malacañang press officer, the President also ordered the inspection of the bollards and their immediate replacement for everyone’s safety.
“Pinaiimbestigahan na po papaano ang naging procurement pati ang implications. Yun po ay sa pag-uutos ng Pangulo at ito po ay tutugunan agad-agad ni Secretary Vince Dizon. At pati po ang pag-inspect sa mga bollards at ang mabilisang pagpapalit nito para sa safety po ng nakakarami,” Castro expressed.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos also issued a statement on the NAIA Terminal 1 and the SCTEX Toll Plaza accidents that cost lives. Ten people were left dead by the road crash in Tarlac.