8 Things You Should Know About the NAIA-3 Blackout
Apr 4, 2016 • 8List
4. Manual airport
Via inquirer.net
Inside the terminal, immigration personnel resorted to manually processing the documents of both departure and arrival passengers. The terminal’s health authorities were also reported to have used their portable thermal scanners instead of the machine scanners, which relied on the terminal’s main power grid. The x-ray scanners at security checkpoints were also not working, which forced security personnel to manually inspect the luggage and belongings of passengers, causing long queues outside the terminal.
3. Flight rebooking
Via PAL announced via Facebook post that “All PAL check-in counters at the NAIA Terminal 3 have been cleared of long queues as power supply normalized as of 3PM.” They have also waived rebooking fees and charges, as well as providing refund options within 30 days for all affected passengers. The waiver covers passengers who:
- Chose not to push through with flights due to long line at the NAIA Terminal 3 counters,
- Decided not to go to NAIA T3 after learning flight delays due to power interruptions,
- Missed their connecting flights in NAIA Terminal 2 after their delayed flight arriaval in NAIA Terminal 3,
- Arrived at NAIA Terminals 1 and 2 but with delayed or cancelled connecting flights in Terminal 3, and
- Those who have the option to refund or rebook may do so within 30 days from their original scheduled flight.
Passengers may avail of these options by presenting valid ID and a copy of their booking record locator. They may call the PAL Hotline 855 8888 for further inquiries.
CEB also announced that passengers of cancelled flights and all other guests unable to take their flights from April 2 (8:30 pm) to April 3, 2016 may opt for a full refund or travel fund, or to rebook their flights within 30 days from their original departure date. Guests may call the CEB reservation hotlines (02) 702 0888, (032) 230 8888, or visit CEB’s ticket offices.
2. National shame
Via interaksyon.com
It’s no surprise that the five-hour blackout that affected thousands of local and international passengers received flak from citizens and politicians.
Senatorial candidate Roman T. Romulo called the crisis a national shame, and criticized the airport management and the DOTC for being unprepared in such situations. “I am appalled by the fact that NAIA 3 had no contingency or back up plan for such an event. It has shown the highest level of incompetence and lack of foresight on the part of the DOTC who had all but declared they would take a direct hand in running our airports, it’s shameful to say the least,” Romulo said. The Senatoriable also said that the incident affirmed his belief of the need for an airline passenger bill of rights that will impose penalties on airlines and responsible government agencies.
Valenzuela Congressman Rex Gatchalian and spokesman of presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe also called for the dismissal of Abaya and NAIA general manager Angel Honrado for “sleeping on their jobs,” which caused the blackout as well as the cancellation and delay of flights. He also said that that the public deserves better services from the government and that the power outage reflects the kind of leaders President Aquino appointed in NAIA.
1. NAIA-3’s track record
Via 
Via gmanetwork.com
Since its inauguration in 2008, NAIA-3 has been in the crossfire for incidents like collapsed floors, leaks, malfunctioning equipment and dilapidated facilities, among others. Issues like the tanim-bala scam exploded online, while a collapsed ceiling injured a foreign passenger just this January.
According to The Guide to Sleeping in Airports website, NAIA-3 has earned the top spot for the world’s worst airport from 2011 to 2013. Thanks to instances like these, no one’s surprised.
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