Authority admits NAIA-3 computer system not installed yet

MANILA, Philippines - Almost two weeks after its opening, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 still does not have a functioning integrated computer flight information system. Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) assistant general manager for security Angel Atutubo admitted this Tuesday as he blamed everything on "growing pains." "Wala pa yung flight information system. Yung mga computer information system medyo masalimuot (We still don't have an integrated flight information system. Our computer information system is rather complicated)," Atutubo said in an interview on dwIZ radio. He blamed the Japanese contractor Takenaka for this, saying it did not give them instructions on how to use the computerized systems. For now, Atutubo said Cebu Pacific and MIAA are using a "temporary" information management system. Last weekend, several passengers scheduled to take their flights at NAIA-3 complained that they were not given information for their flights. Some of them engaged airport personnel in virtual shouting matches due to the lack of computerized flight information systems and even public address systems. On the other hand, Atutubo said there are automated teller machines (ATMs) set up by the Philippine National Bank, but admitted there are not enough personnel for money exchange services. "Talagang para bang matatawag natin na bagong ipinanganak na sanggol. Maraming kailangan pa alagaan at ayusan. Ginagawa lahat na paraan para sa convenience ng pasahero (This is all part of growing pains. We have a lot of things to take care of. We're trying to address these problems)," he said. - GMANews.TV