P-Square, an engineering and consulting firm, was named to do the six-month study that would cost the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) about P9.4 million.
Jose Honrado, Miaa general manager, said P-Square would conduct various kinds of tests to establish the load bearing capacity of the building and to determine which parts of the structure had become flawed or unsafe, before any expansion or improvement is made.
Naia 1 is being refurbished to keep up with the demand as it has already exceeded its capacity of 10 million passengers a year several years ago. At the same time, it was also noted that it was practically falling to pieces, with some concrete cladding getting loose and peeling away.
Most of the 28 foreign airlines that serve the country are based at Naia Terminal 1 and had expressed intention to stay put in that terminal. Almost all are against a transfer to Naia Terminal 3 until all legal and associated problems are settled between the Philippine International Airport Corp. (Piatco) and the government.
At the moment, only Cebu Pacific, AirphilExpress and All Nippon Airways call Naia Terminal 3 home.
Although the planned structural tests have been announced earlier this year, the process was fast-tracked after huge pieces of styropor-like material covering portions of the ceiling at the ground level fell off in May, including some concrete pieces from the façade. This has been attributed to deterioration owing to age or effects of previous earthquakes.
The structural testing will start next month and is expected to be finished by January next year.
By then, the Miaa would announce a bidding to determine which architectural company would accomplish the job to give the Miaa its final look.
“We want the public to know that the Miaa is upgrading Terminal 1 not only in the provision of toilets, water supply and carpeting, but also to international standards,” says Miaa’s senior general manager Antonio Bautista.
Bautista pointed out that the Naia Terminal 1 arrival area has been completely refurbished, with its walls and ceiling sporting a new look after these were clad with a metal finish to cover the old style “washout.”
Bautista added that the Miaa is also being assisted by the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines in its attempt to come out with a new Naia Terminal 1 that would be attuned to the needs of travelers.
Asked how much has been alloted for the complete renovation, Bautista said it is not yet clear at this point, but said it would be about P500 million.
“The Miaa has the money to fund the airport’s renovation,” he said, adding that the final say would be determined by the members of the board of directors with the concurrence of Honrado for final approval.
