Palace says NAIA bollards placed when Tugade headed DOTr; ex-chief welcomes probe

Malacañang on Tuesday said that there will be an investigation into the Ninoy Aquino International Airport's bollards, which Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro pointed out were installed during the time then-Transportation Secretary Art Tugade in 2019.

Castro made the remark days after a bollard gave way and failed to protect NAIA well-wishers and passengers from a wayward SUV, killing two persons, including a five-year-old girl on Sunday.

''Nakakalungkot po may mga nasawi dahil sa diumanong depektibo na bollards na na-install po sa NAIA Terminal 1. At ito po, na-install sa panahon po ng dating administrasyon at sa panahon po ni Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, ngayon po ay pinaiimbestigahan; ito po ay July 2019 noong na-install po ang mga ito,'' Castro said.

(We are saddened that lives were lost due to the supposed bollards that are defective. These were installed during the previous administration, under the leadership of former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. This is being investigated.)

''Pinaiimbestigahan na po kung paano po ang naging procurement pati iyong specifications, iyon po ay sa pag-uutos po ng Pangulo at ito po ay tutugunan kaagad-agad ni Secretary Vince Dizon. At pati po ang pag-i-inspect sa mga bollards at ang mabilisang pagpapalit po dito para sa safety po ng nakakarami,'' she added.

(Its procurement and specifications are being investigated upon the order of the President, including their inspection and immediate replacement for the safety of everyone.)

Sought for comment, Tugade said he supported the investigation of the NAIA bollards, which some experts said were substandard. 

"I fully support a full, fair, and transparent investigation on the matter of the NAIA bollards," Tugade said.

Tugade said government personnel and private contractors involved in the installation of the questioned bollards should face criminal charges and be banned from government service and projects.

"All of us should stand for the truth, accountability and good governance," Tugade said.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said bollards were supposed to prevent vehicles from entering the area of passengers and well-wishers.

When he went to the airport on Sunday following the accident, Dizon said he noticed how the bollard barriers were not very sturdy.

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has vowed that tragic road accidents would not happen again as he tasked concerned agencies to enforce necessary reforms to prevent loss of lives.

He disclosed that he had already tasked Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to move decisively, particularly to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the accidents. — BAP/NB, GMA Integrated News