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Palace wants NAIA transformed into world’s 'most loved' airport


(Updated 7 p.m.) After being listed as one of the world’s 10 most hated airports, government intends to turn the Ninoy Aquino International Airport into the most loved ports as a substantial cost. “We are certainly going to perform a lot of improvements and renovations in the said airport — hopefully, to take it away from the most hated to the most loved," presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing Thursday. Asked how much it would cost the government to do that, he said “quite substantially." He said Transportation and Communications Manuel Roxas II would be in a better position to mention the cost of structural improvements and renovations on NAIA 1 and 2. In an article posted on CNNGo.com, NAIA was ranked 5th on the list for its "filthy restrooms, seat shortages at gates... and an Amazing Race-style check-in routine spiked with bureaucracy." Renovation plan approved Industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue meanwhile said that the renovation plan he and two others proposed for NAIA 1 has already been approved by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and the airport’s board. He likewise posted a video of the latest version of the NAIA-1 renovation plan on his Facebook page. GMA News Online contacted Roxas if his department has indeed approved the plan, but the DOTC chief has not yet replied as of this posting. Interior designer Antonio “Budji" Layug and architect Royal Pineda are Cobonpue’s collaborators on the renovation plan that they designed for free. 'Substantial Improvement' Lacierda said structural apart from interior renovations are being done, including lighting and landscaping. “There has been substantial improvement also on the restrooms in NAIA 1. There are toilet papers, waters running, and better lighting conditions. This was what the President [also] noticed — parang ‘yung restrooms natin parang hospital restrooms. Ngayon, it looks a lot better," he said. “I saw the improvements also in the airport two weekends ago. So certainly there has been a lot of improvement under the leadership of Secretary Mar Roxas and (Manila International Airport Authority) general manager Angel Honrado," the presidential spokesperson noted. He maintained that NAIA is a 30-year old building that “needs to be renovated in order to improve what we can to accommodate and make sure that the tourists and all the travelers will be as comfortable as possible." “We have also improved lounges and there will be some improvement also as to the internet availability," he said. Roxas and Honrado on Tuesday briefed President Benigno Aquino III on undergoing improvements to the country’s premier airport. — With a report by Andreo Calonzo/VS, GMA News
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