- Senator Poe’s camp described the 5-hour power outage at NAIA-3 a “national shame”
- The incident highlighted the supposed incompetence of DOTC and airport management, says Poe’s spokesman
- Over 100 flights and 15,000 passengers were affected by the power outage
The five-hour power outage that caused chaos at the Ninoy International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) was described by the camp of leading presidential candidate, Senator Grace Poe, as “an embarrassment” for the country.
An Inquirer article dated April 4, 2016 said the power outage affected over a hundred domestic and international flights, inconveniencing at least 15,000 passengers. It started at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2 and lasted until 2 a.m. the following day.
The incident according to Senator Poe’s spokesperson Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian highlighted the supposed incompetence of the airport management and Department of Transportation and Communications led by Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.
“The five-hour power outage last night in NAIA 3 is once again another embarrassment for the country. The power outage clearly manifests the incompetence in the airport authority and DOTC, airport facilities management. Our people deserve better,” Gatchalian said.
Rep. Roman Romulo, a senatorial candidate on Poe’s team, echoed Gatchalian’s statement and called the 5-hour outage a “national shame.”
“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, which had all but declared it would take a direct hand in running our airports. It’s shameful to say the least,” Romulo said.
Two affected passengers took to social media and complained that they paid P1,620 for travel tax and an additional P500 airport fee only to be given a poor service.
Some passengers also complained of lost belongings during the power outage.
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