P8 Million Spent on Safety Bollards at NAIA Terminals
Only for two people to pay the ultimate price.
(SPOT.ph) The tragic crash that killed two people at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 has put a spotlight on the airport's safety features—specifically the bollards meant to stop vehicles from slamming into the terminal. As it turns out, these bollards ended up acting like mere decoration, one that cost the government P8 million to procure and install back in 2019.
That figure comes from the Manila International Airport Authority’s (MIAA) 2019 accomplishment report, which listed the bollards as part of a wider safety upgrade across all four NAIA terminals under the Duterte administration. The project was intended “to promote terminal safety by preventing the vehicles from ramming into the walls of the terminals at the curbside parking area.”
This purpose was called into question on May 4, after a black SUV rammed through the bollards at Terminal 1, killing a five-year-old girl and a 29-year-old man while injuring four others. The driver of the SUV claimed he panicked when a sedan suddenly passed in front of him as he was about to leave the departure area after dropping off a passenger. He stepped on the gas instead of the brakes.
Also read: 12,000 Are Killed on Philippine Roads Every Year. What Can We Do?
Safety bollards at NAIA Terminal 1
Internationally, the required depth for bollard installation varies based on its intended purpose. Bollards designed to stop vehicles—called crash-rated bollards—usually need to be buried 36 to 48 inches deep in reinforced concrete, while lighter, decorative bollards used for guiding traffic or blocking access can be set at shallower depths at around 24 inches, depending on the design.
MIAA's report indicates the NAIA bollards were meant to stop vehicles, yet footage from the scene shows they may not have been deeply anchored into the ground. MIAA and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) are now looking into the design and installation of the bollards.
"Napansin ko kaagad… I wanted to see kung saan lumusot ‘yung Everest. Makikita mo kaagad doon sa bollard na bumigay na hindi siya ganon katibay, obviously nakalusot," Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon said in a press conference on May 5. "Iniimbestigahan 'to ngayon ng MIAA at SMC.”
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has also preventively suspended the driver's license for 90 days and issued a show cause order to both the driver and the vehicle's registered owner. The driver is also facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and physical injuries.
A replacement bollard was immediately installed at the crash site the day after the incident on May 5, as reported by ABS-CBN.
Online, social media users are calling for transparency and accountability in the project’s implementation. As of now, the contractor responsible for installing the bollards has yet to be identified.