Airport Official Investigates After Deadly NAIA Accident at MCIA

Airport Official Investigates After Deadly NAIA Accident at MCIA

"Hey there, bud!"

After a tragic car accident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) that claimed two lives, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon swooped into Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to ensure everything was shipshape according to international safety standards.

The visit on Thursday, May 8, 2025, was a direct response to a presidential directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., aiming to assess all airports nationwide, as reported by Dizon himself.

Following the incident at Naia on Sunday, Dizon observed that the matter of bollard safety installations had become a hot topic. MCIA, operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital, was instructed to promptly submit a report on the bollards' conformity with international safety standards.

Secretary Dizon also scrutinized traffic management at MCIA's domestic Terminal 1 and international Terminal 2. He commended the positioning of vehicles at Terminal 2, as they faced away from the building, unlike at Naia, where they confronted the terminal, which could pose potential hazards. At Terminal 1, traffic moved in parallel lanes, reducing the risk of collisions.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) was also consulted about the outdated electronic gates at MCIA. Dizon urged the BI to speed up the acquisition of updated systems to boost efficiency, decrease wait times, and improve passenger flow.

Despite being pleased with the airport's smooth operations, Dizon asked Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority General Manager and CEO Julius Neri Jr. to compile an engineering report to minimize future mishaps.

"Mactan is definitely one of the top airports in the country, running smoothly. But we still have to guarantee compliance with international standards to sidestep any unfortunate incidents," Dizon said.

In a separate interview, Neri voiced his condolences for the Naia incident and assured that such incidents would not transpire at MCIA. He explained that vehicles at Terminal 1 were aligned parallel, while cars and buses passing Terminal 2 were arranged outward, away from the bollards.

"We're delighted that Secretary Dizon paid us a visit to examine if our airport adheres to all necessary safety protocols regarding the bollards. The Naia incident was truly regrettable," Neri said.

Neri shared that the DOTr suggested implementing similar safety practices at Naia. They were going to bring in an expert to verify the robustness and stability of the bollards at MCIA.

The DOTr's inspection is part of the preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 2026 summit, as MCIA plays a significant role in the event. Soon, Dizon will visit other international airports, like those in Davao and Iloilo.

As a side note, the DOTr crackdown on airport safety standards primarily focuses on:

• Bollard inspections to maintain perimeter security and prevent unauthorized vehicular access.
• Traffic Management to ensure a smooth passenger flow and minimize risks.
• E-Gate security to meet international security and passenger throughput standards.

These efforts align with best practices for aviation safety, although the specific international standards aren’t explicitly mentioned in the recent updates.

1. Secretary Vince Dizon visited Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) from Manila, aimed at ensuring the airport complied with international safety standards following a fatal car accident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
2. MCIA was instructed to submit a report on the bollards' conformity with international safety standards, as bollard safety installations had become a pressing issue after the Naia incident.
3. In addition to bollard safety, traffic management and e-gate security were also areas of focus during Dizon's inspection at MCIA.
4. Dizon noted the strategic placement of vehicles at MCIA's Terminal 2, facing away from the building, reducing potential hazards compared to Naia's traffic arrangement.
5. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) was advised to expedite the acquisition of updated electronic gates systems to enhance efficiency and passenger flow at MCIA.
6. General Manager and CEO of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, Julius Neri Jr., promised that such incidents would not occur at MCIA and expressed appreciation for Dizon's visit to assess the airport's safety measures.
7. Neri shared that the DOTr suggested implementing similar safety practices at Naia to improve perimeter security and prevent unauthorized vehicular access.
8. As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 2026 summit approaches, Dizon plans to inspect other international airports, such as those in Davao and Iloilo.
9. The DOTr's focus on airport safety standards includes bollard inspections, traffic management, and e-gate security to align with best practices for aviation safety, although the specific international standards aren’t explicitly mentioned in the recent updates.

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