After Naia Terminal 1 facelift, P8-M passenger lounge next

With the makeover of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 almost complete, airport officials are set to open the bidding for the construction of an P8-million passenger sendoff area.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) earlier promised to provide an area where passengers could stay with their families before their flights.

According to MIAA senior assistant general manager Vicente Guerzon Jr., the bidding may be opened to interested firms by November.

“Once the terms of reference for the project are approved, there will be an invitation to bid issued,” he told the Inquirer, adding that this may happen before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Relatives of overseas Filipino workers have been complaining about the closure of the Naia Terminal 1 OFW lounge and Windows of the World (WOW) area early last year, almost simultaneously with the onset of the P1.3-billion rehabilitation project.

The new OFW and WOW lounges, generally called “public viewing areas,” are expected to accommodate up to 300 persons at a time.

The primary purpose of providing such areas, Guerzon said, was to let people interact with their relatives in a comfortable setting before they leave for abroad.

“It is part of Filipino culture. We have a close-knit family relationship so many people want to be part of sendoffs and welcomes,” he added.