DOTC denies rejecting Takenaka’s offer to help in NAIA-3 repairs

Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza denied yesterday reports that the government had rejected the offer of Japanese firm Takenaka Corp. to repair part of the ceiling of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) that collapsed days before its scheduled opening last month.

"No (the government has not rejected it). Takenaka accepted the responsibility and they are willing to do the repair," Mendoza said.

He said Takenaka took the responsibility of repairing the damaged portion of the new airport terminal for free since they are the contractors.

"But, before we accept it, we should be very sure that the integrity of the structure is there," Mendoza told reporters along with several other officials attending the 94th anniversary of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) at its main offices in Quezon City yesterday.

Asked when the repairs will be started, Mendoza said the court-appointed assessors and other government representatives are still inspecting NAIA-3’s structural integrity before proceeding with the repair.

As for structural repairs at the Bacolod airport, Mendoza said Takenaka will also do these for free.

He said engineers noticed the structural defects and Takenaka was doing the "corrective measures."

Mendoza made the statement contrary to earlier reports that Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Alfonso Cusi had rejected Takenaka’s offer to repair part of the ceiling of the NAIA-3 that collapsed on March 27.

The Japanese construction firm was tapped by the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (Piatco) which won the bid to build the new airport terminal.

Reports said Cusi, who was forced to postpone the terminal’s scheduled test run last March 31, argued for a full inspection and assessment of the integrity of NAIA-3 before the opening.

Business tycoon Lucio Tan, through his Asia’s Emerging Dragon Co. (AEDC), lauded Cusi over his reported statements.

Perfecto Yasay, lead counsel of AEDC, said Cusi has taken "the right step" in his approach to fix the terminal first and check for its safety and structural soundness.

Yasay also suggested Takenaka should be included in the inspection to see for themselves the problem that was created by the alleged use of substandard materials.

AEDC earlier called on government to first conduct a sweeping inspection of the terminal’s structural integrity to ensure the safety of passengers using the terminal.

Takenaka agreed to shoulder the cost of repair of the ceiling and the cracks on the runway of the Bacolod airport after the DOTC threatened to have the firm blacklisted from government projects.

The Pasay regional trial court earlier ordered the government to pay Piatco P3 billion for taking over the airport.

Mendoza said the assessors appointed by the Pasay RTC are currently determining the issue of compensation.

He said there was an inspection done by the court-appointed assessors on its value.