PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a thorough investigation into the installation and procurement of bollards at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 following a tragic accident that resulted in two fatalities. The incident involved an SUV that crashed through the bollards, striking pedestrians outside the terminal.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed in a Malacañang press briefing that the bollards, which failed to prevent the SUV from entering the pedestrian area, were installed in 2019 under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte and the leadership of former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
“It is saddening that there were casualties due to the allegedly defective bollards installed at NAIA Terminal 1,” Castro stated.
President Marcos has tasked relevant government agencies with investigating the procurement process and assessing whether the bollard specifications met safety standards. The investigation will focus on both the procurement process itself and the specifications used in the installation.
“The President has ordered an investigation into how the procurement was handled, including the specifications,” Castro explained. “
Secretary Vince Dizon will address this immediately. This includes inspecting the bollards and swiftly replacing them to ensure the safety of the public.”
The investigation will determine if the bollards met required safety standards and whether any negligence occurred during their procurement or installation. The findings will likely inform future infrastructure projects and safety protocols at the airport.
