Clark airport probing possible use of substandard materials 

MANILA, Philippines – The Clark International Airport management on Wednesday bared that it is investigating the possible use of substandard materials in the facility

Parts of the airport terminal collapsed after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake rocked parts of Luzon on Monday.

Sixteen fatalities have so far been reported – 15 in Pampanga and one in San Marcelino, Zambales.

READ: Luzon quake death toll rises to 16

Authorities earlier pegged airport damage at P30 million.

“Chinecheck po natin ‘yan, ‘yung mga nahulog na parte, iniimbestigahan po natin yan, mi-ne-measure, ibabangga po natin sa kontrata years ago with the contractor (We are checking on that, the parts that collapsed, we will compare it with those indicated in the contract years ago with the contractor),” said Jaime Melo, president of Clark International Airport Corporation, in an interview with dzMM.

“Kapag nakita po natin ‘yun na substandard, pwede po natin silang balikan, kakasuhan po natin ‘yan. Hindi po natin pababayaan na substandard ang ikabit nila sa ating mga airport (If we find out that the materials are substandard, we will sue the contractor. We will not allow them to install substandard materials in airports),” he added.

Melo said the airport management has yet to review the financial losses from daily operations due to the temporary suspension of flights while the facility was being repaired.

The airport is scheduled to resume i operations on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

READ: Clark International Airport resuming operations Wednesday afternoon

Melo added that “everything is [now] safe” in the airport.

“Chineck po namin ang building and everything. Safe po ito for the passengers (We checked everything. It is now safe for passengers),” he assured. /gsg