DOTC: Naia toilet repairs to be completed by yearend

MANILA, Philippines–Airport authorities and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) have assured airline passengers of better facilities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s (Naia) three terminals with the rehabilitation of 121 toilets set to be completed by the end of the year.

Around 15 percent of the P32.6 million “Kayo ang boss ko” toilet improvement project has been completed as of this month, according to a statement issued recently by the DOTC.

The program is part of the efforts of the DOTC and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to modernize the capital’s international gateway.

The toilet project, which covers Naia Terminals 2, 3 and 4 includes the installation of major fixtures such as water closets, sensor-type urinals, lavatories, tiles, ceilings and waterproofing.

Based on a report of the MIAA, 26 toilets at Terminal 2 are included in the rehabilitation program, 16 of these in the passenger area. On the other hand, out of the 85 toilets at Terminal 3, repairs have already started in 26. Also set to begin is the rehabilitation of 10 toilets at

Terminal 4.

While 54 toilets at the Terminal 1 underwent repairs in 2010, according to the DOTC, some were still being rehabilitated.

“These are those affected by the ongoing renovation,” said Dante Basanta, Terminal 1 manager.

Early this month, MIAA drew criticisms anew after a passenger was bitten by a dog leashed to a railing while he was looking for a working toilet in a restricted area.

But with the P1.3 billion renovation of the NAIA 1 due to be finished in March, Basanta said that “the travel experience [would] improve by next year.”