28 Marso 2024, Huwebes
Huwebes Santo
supports Fire Prevention Month
deepest sympathy to family of the late Danilo Halili
deepest sympathy to family of the late Mario Cruz
supports Women Month March
joins Christian nations in observance of Lenten season
welcomes Bagong Bayani Monico Lopez Caranay
NAIA power fluctuations create chaos
By J.Lo
“We cannot discount the fact that we have food concessionaires necessarily attract rodents… numerous traps were set up and number of trapped rats decreased both in numbers and sizes, a sign that measures are effective,” Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) spokesman Chris Bendijo said passengers sweltered as power fluctuations hit the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 at around 10 in the morning.
Ffluctuations were caused by circuit breaker tripping, according to The elevated heat index outside terminal led to high power loads t caused circuit breaker to trip, he noted.
Other potential causes are being investigated.
Electrical engineers worked for an hour to calibrate circuit breaker, he added.
NAIA’s power generators kicked in, continuing operations at check-in counters and X-ray machines, but cooling system was a problem.
Airport’s power is back to normal after more than three hours of limited power supply.
Passengers reported that escalators were not working at NAIA Terminal 3.
Energy utility provider Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is ready to provide support to MIAA following power fluctuations.
MIAA said power fluctuations affected air handling units at the departure area, but no flight delays or cancellations were reported.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and MIAA general manager Eric Ines inspected the airport prior to fluctuations.
MIAA is upgrading airport’s electrical system and assured public that this would cause no significant impact on flight operations.
Scheduled maintenance activities are being conducted by MIAA at NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3, International Cargo Terminal, MIAA administration building and airfield to upgrade NAIA’s electrical systems.
Meanwhile, campaign against rats at the airport was proven effective, Bendijo said.
He also noted that based on Bureau of Quarantine report, bed bugs infested some lounge chairs at NAIA did not come from the Philippines.
“I am only relying on statement of Bureau of Quarantine about possibility of infestation of bed bugs by introduction,” he added.
Transport officials inspected on Monday and Tuesday facilities of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) as part of Oplan Biyaheng Ayos.
They verified functionality of all critical systems within CAAP’s Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) facilities.
CNS/ATM plays pivotal role in enabling aircraft to transmit accurate location data for safe takeoffs, landings and air traffic control.
To bolster operational readiness, CAAP director general Manuel Tamayo implemented “no leave policy” directive for essential operational staff this Holy Week.
As these developed Filipinos should be wary of proliferation of travel scams this Holy Week, according to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary for communications Hector Villacorta.
“If you are very eager to travel, scammers are also eager to scam you, so be careful,” Villacorta said during Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum.
He urged people to call DOTr hotline 1326 if unscrupulous persons try to defraud them.
DOTr coordinated with Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government and private sector group Scam Watch Pilipinas in campaign against travel scams.
More than 100,000 travelers have been reported at seaports nationwide, according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
As to date 64,179 outbound passengers and 55,719 inbound passengers at ports, or a total of 119,898 passengers.
This is jump from 19,979 outbound passengers and 14,462 inbound passengers or 34,441 travelers recorded from Tuesday midnight until press time.
PCG deployed 3,395 personnel from 15 districts to maintain order and security.
It inspected 639 vessels and 1,077 motorized boats.
PCG placed all its 15 districts, stations and substations on heightened alert from March 24 to 31, in line with DOTr’s Oplan Byaheng Ayos: Semana Santa.
In Bulacan, first aid stations have been placed at pilgrimage sites in the province as devotees and visitors converge this Holy Week, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Bulacan.
These first aid stations have been set up at the Divine Mercy in Marilao, Sto. Cristo Chapel in Paombong, Basilica Minore in Malolos and near the Bulacan provincial government compound in Malolos. Civic organization Bullet Bitag headed by Ricardo Sta. Ana monitors Manila North Road supported by Binang 1st Bocaue, Bulacan Chairman Alfredo Quiambao and Police Chief Lt. Col. Manuel De Vera.
Air Force reservists have also been deployed at the Divine Mercy from March 27 to 29, according to the Philippine Air Force’s Weng Barillo.
They will augment PDRRMO for medical-related cases, Barillo said.?
In Camp Olivas, San Fernando City in Pampanga, regional police office reported strict inspections of bus terminals in Central Luzon with expected influx of travelers this Holy Week.
Police personnel have also been deployed to malls and churches, Central Luzon regional police director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. said.
Central Luzon police force is also prepared to implement public safety campaign for summer holiday season, from April 1 to May 31, dubbed “Ligtas SUMVAC 2024.”
Meanwhile, Metro Manila police units are on heightened alert this Holy Week, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
“We are declaring heightened alert in order to use all of our human resources, logistics and finances,” NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in chance interview.
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