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By Jonathan M. Hicap, Reporter
The Japanese contractor hired by
the consortium that built the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Terminal 3 reportedly refuses to accept responsibility for the
structural and design defects in the facility, an airport official
who asked not to be named told The Manila Times Wednesday.
As a result, the Manila
International Airport Authority is consulting its lawyers on what
legal action to take against Takenaka Corp. of Japan, which was
hired by the Philippine International Air Terminal Co. Inc. to build
the terminal.
MIAA’s consultants, TCGI
Engineers Inc. and Ove Arup & Partners HK Ltd, earlier said
there were structural and design defects that put airport users at
risk. The results of the findings became the basis for the MIAA to
call off the opening of the terminal on March 31.
Another MIAA official said they
maintain their stand that it is the responsibility of Takenaka to
repair the defects.
“Takenaka remains liable and
the government has done all it can to enter into positive measures
but Takenaka has become unreasonable,” the official said.
Government took over NAIA 3 in
December 2004 through an expropriation case, which is still pending
with the Branch 117 of the Pasay Regional Trial Court. The
government paid Piatco P3 billion last year as initial payment for
building the terminal.
MIAA earlier sent a letter to
Takenaka to “rectify the defects in the structural works” of the
NAIA 3.
In its report, TCGI said Takenaka
violated code requirements that may result in “structural collapse
and loss of lives in the event of a major earthquake.”
“We are convinced that if
Terminal 3 is now operated even on a limited scale as contemplated
in the planned ‘rolling opening,’ users of the facility, such as
passengers, well-wishers, airport personnel and other occupants will
be exposed to life safety risks, most especially in the event of a
major earthquake,” it said.
The standoff between MIAA and
Takenaka may further delay the opening of NAIA 3.
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