Press Release
March 19, 2006

PIMENTEL BACKS PLAN TO OPEN NAIA-3 AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Nene Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today expressed the hope that the government will meet its target of opening the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Terminal 3 on March 31.

Pimentel said the NAIA-3, which is almost 100 percent, has been mothballed long enough, and the nation could ill afford the injurious consequences of the prolonged delay in its commercial operation.

I hope the announced opening of NAIA-3 was for real. Its a pity that the modern air terminal has been idle for so long. Its opening will bring not only pride but great benefits to the people, he said.

Citing the views of aviation experts, Pimentel said excessive delay in the opening of NAIA-3 poses grave danger because the airport equipment and facilities may deteriorate from non-use.

The NAIA-3, which reportedly cost more than $600 million to build, was originally scheduled to open in November, 2002.

Despite the governments announcement that NAIA-3 will have its soft opening in two weeks time, Pimentel noted that Malacañang and the Manila International Airport Authority are not yet sure about this because there are still certain requirements to be met.

These requirements, according to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, include: 1. a categorical ruling from the Supreme Court that MIAA can already issue lease contracts to airline firms and concessionaries after payment of P3 billion initial compensation to the Philippine International Air Terminals Company; 2. Submission of report on the safety of the air terminal by the international aviation inspection firm, TCIG; and 3. completion of the unfinished facilities by Takenaka Engineering firm.

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