Another problem hits Naia: No water at T1
Baggage handling operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 have returned to normal although another problem has cropped up—the lack of water supply, this time at Terminal 1.
Cebu Pacific assured its passengers in a statement on Wednesday night that checked-in bags for “new travel [were] now being processed as usual.”
“Our teams remain focused on swiftly delivering any remaining delayed luggage to affected passengers,” the low cost carrier said.
It thanked the airport’s new management, New Naia Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), which sent additional personnel and enforced alternative systems and protocols to help solve the problem.
“Looking ahead, Cebu Pacific is optimistic about NNIC’s ongoing commitment to enhancing airport infrastructure and making further improvements,” it said.
New problem
A new problem, however, has been reported at Terminal 1 where toilets, restaurants and other facilities have been without water since Wednesday night.
On Thursday, janitors, building attendants and utility personnel were observed filling up water containers from water tankers sent to the terminal.
The NNIC, in an initial statement, said that a section of the terminal’s main water pipe was damaged and repairs were ongoing. It added that water tankers would continue to be deployed continuously to ensure adequate water supply.
“Imposing all these fee adjustments while immediately failing customers just weeks after the takeover of the Naia by NNIC is clearly not the best way to win the confidence and support of passengers and the traveling public. Sadly, this is yet another blow to the reputation of Naia, further worsening its notoriety,” CitizenWatch co-convenor Kit Belmonte said in statement.
He added that the baggage problem justified calls made earlier by several groups earlier about stopping the implementation of Administrative Order 1 which imposed the higher fees, including parking rates. The NNIC earlier said that terminal fees for both domestic and international travelers would also go up beginning September 2025.
“While the NNIC may argue that it can be blamed directly due to the ongoing improvements of the facility, it has to be stated that these only justifies our persistent calls to the Department of Transportation to halt AO 1 for it to again be studied and further reviewed thereby ensuring that the impact of the improvements are realized first before fee adjustments are to be considered,” Belmonte said.
