A civil society group has called on Congress to investigate the partial collapse of a ceiling at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, raising concerns over safety standards and the broader implications of airport privatization.
At least seven individuals were injured when a section of the terminal ceiling gave way before noon on Good Friday, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The agency said those affected were “promptly given medical attention” and confirmed that an investigation is already underway.
In a statement, the Ugnayan ng mga Lumalaban sa Airport Privatization (ULAP) described the incident as “not an isolated mishap but a rupture in the thin veneer of improvement narratives surrounding the NAIA privatization.”
ULAP convenor Rico Domingo criticized the response of New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC), saying the company’s statement lacked accountability.
“NNIC told the public that its teams responded at once, that the area was cordoned off, and that surrounding sections were safe. But there was no real apology, no clear remorse, and no recognition that passengers were injured inside the country’s primary airport under its watch,” Domingo said.
“You do not restore public confidence by saying operations remain normal. You restore it by showing full compliance, full accountability, and full transparency,” he added.
The group urged both the House of Representatives and the Senate to conduct a thorough probe—not only into the immediate cause of the collapse but also into the maintenance, engineering, and regulatory framework governing NNIC’s operations.
ULAP emphasized that Friday’s incident was not the first time concerns over public safety and airport infrastructure have been raised.
“Congress must investigate. The President must act. The Supreme Court must move. Public safety cannot be privatized, and accountability cannot be managed with press statements,” the group declared.