MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered an investigation into the installation and procurement of bollards or vehicle barriers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
According to Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro, the President wants to hold accountable those behind the allegedly defective bollards.
Castro added that the bollards were installed in 2019 during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte and under the leadership of then-transportation secretary Arthur Tugade.
“Nakakalungkot po na may mga nasawi dahil sa di umano’y depektibong bollard na na-install sa NAIA Terminal 1,” Castro said in a media briefing at the Malacañang Palace.
Castro added that Marcos had instructed concerned agencies to investigate the procurement process and assess whether the specifications used during the installation met safety standards.
“Ito’y tutugunan kaagad-agad ni Secretary Vince Dizon. Pati po ang pag-inspect sa mga bollard at mabilisang pagpapalit nito para sa safety po ng nakararami,” she added.
The tragic event that took place outside Terminal 1 on Sunday morning sparked public outrage and has led to increased examination of government infrastructure initiatives.
Surveillance video reveals the SUV crashing through the metal barriers with little resistance before colliding with several pedestrians, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, including a five-year-old child./PN
