Newly improved NAIA Terminal 2 (PHOTO: Screengrab from the official Facebook page of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco)
MANILA, Philippines — The Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) is experiencing fluctuations in electricity as travelers swarm the airport on Holy Wednesday, March 27.
In a text message to INQUIRER.net, Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) spokesperson Chris Bendijo said power supply at Naia’s Terminal 2 fluctuated due to “an increased load due to high heat index.”
READ: Naia gearing up for Holy Week travel rush
He also said except for the terminal’s air-condition units, all operations in the terminal were normal.
Risk for the elderly, children
INQUIRER.net was able to reach out to one of the passengers in Terminal 2 who is waiting for his flight to the municipality of Kalibo in Aklan.
The passenger, Santaner Iray, was visibly covered in sweat as he detailed how humid it was inside the terminal due to the lack of air-condition units following the power fluctuations at the airport.
“I arrived here at around three o’clock and it’s already like this. I was wondering why it was so hot in here, and then we were told that there was a power outage,” he said in a video interview.
He noted the lack of air circulation in the terminal, which aggravated the heat.
“I have to be honest, when it comes to risk management and assessment, this is not good for the elderly, especially those with heart and respiratory [conditions] — and also for the children,” Iray pointed out.
He likewise said around 3:30 p.m., airport personnel started putting up electric fans around the terminal to offset the heat, as passengers still tried to cool themselves with makeshift fans.
READ: Some travelers poke fun at Naia bed bugs, rats: They have IDs
After troubleshooting the problem, Bendijo told INQUIRER.net at around 3:55 p.m. that power was back on at the Naia Terminal 2, but electricity supply is “still under monitoring.”
In a previous interview with INQUIRER.net, the Miaa spokesperson said they are anticipating some 1.7 to 1.8 million passengers to arrive at Naia’s terminals during the Holy Week starting from March 24 (Palm Sunday) to March 31 (Easter Sunday).