DOTC apologizes for Naia’s air con problem

The NAIA Terminal 1, which has previously been named the World’s Worst Airport by a travel website, is undergoing rehabilitation. DOTC apologized for the lack of airconditioning which was shut off to prevent dust from getting into the system. MATIKAS SANTOS/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) apologized Wednesday for the inconvenience caused by the lack of air conditioning in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (Naia T1) due to the ongoing rehabilitation work.

“We sincerely apologize to the public for the warm temperature at Naia T1.  We understand how inconvenient it is to endure these conditions inside the airport’s facilities, especially during this peak season,” DOTC Secretary Joseph Abaya said in a statement.

“While the air conditioning system is functioning, temperature is affected by rehabilitation works.  We appeal to you to kindly bear with us, as this is all part of the ongoing project which will ensure T1’s structural integrity for the continued safety of its users,” Abaya said.

The terminal was previously named the World’s Worst Airport in the past years by travel website Sleeping In Airports, prompting the DOTC to implement rehabilitation works on the more than 30 year old terminal.

“The Naia T1 Rehabilitation Project began last January and is on schedule to be completed by January 2015.  We promised a better Naia and are on our way to delivering on this promise, but we need the public’s understanding in the meantime that we are working on it,” Abaya said.

“Our sacrifices now will lead to much better facilities and services in less than a year’s time. We are confident that the public will find these inconveniences to have been worth it once the project is completed,” he said.

The management of the terminal said that the air conditioning had to be turned off to prevent dust and other particles will not enter the air conditioning system and cause damage.

The Naia T1 Rehabilitation Project includes structural retrofitting, certain architectural works, and improvement of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection facilities, DOTC said.

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