NO VIP Exempted To Thermal Scanner
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in coordination with the Bureau of Quarantine and the Department of Health, is serious on protecting the public against the A(N1H1) virus by being vigilant on prevent the entry of the deadly virus in the Philippines. NAIA terminals are already equipped with thermal scanners in 2003 during the peak of SARS scare.
Every passenger should pass through thermal scanner followed by a foot bath. They also have to fill out medical advisory forms as a standard procedure at NAIA. Although thermal scanner can only detect person’s high temperature (fever and/or flu), it might not be that accurate. What if the person just took his medicine just in time to have negative result in thermal scanner? Its a small possibility though. At least we have thermal scanners in the Philippines. If thermal scanner detects a positive passenger, temperature will be confirmed orally. And further test will be handled by designated hospitals in coordination with DOH.
Even President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her delegates pass through thermal tests when he came home from Syria and Egypt recently. In a way, this is to show that there’s no VIP will be exempted since the safety of the nation is at stake. How about Pacquiao? Lets wait and see tomorrow.
NAIA Chief Alfonso Cusi also ordered purchase 5 thermal scanners to boost its capability for scanning arriving and departing passengers. How about other airports and piers? Face masks for airport employees? They are exposed to possible virus, we can never tell.
NAIA is also temporarily suspending until further notice, the issuance of access passes to the public for the purpose of sending off and meeting passengers at the NAIA.
Categories: Health Issues Tags: N1H1 virus, NAIA, swine flu
NAIA Terminal 3 Finally Opens
Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA Terminal 3 finally opened its door for commercial flights this morning. The lucky Cebu Pacific flight bound for Caticlan is the first flight to use the controversial NAIA 3 at 5:10 am this morning.
Why controversial? The third terminal of the airport, the larger Terminal 3, is the newest terminal in the NAIA complex. Constructed starting 1997, the terminal is 98% complete as of 2006. It is one of the most controversial projects the Philippine government has gotten involved in, and in some cases is likened to a white elephant. Legal battles and red tape, especially international arbitration cases in both the United States and Singapore as a result of mismanagement of the project by the Estrada government, as well as technical and safety concerns, have delayed the opening several times. It is slated to officially open on June 30, 2008. – taken from wikipedia
The journey to the new airport will take 30 minutes per passenger to reach boarding area. There are guides to avoid passengers to get lost. I heard, a couple won a round trip ticket to Caticlan on NAIA 3 first operating day. Wow! They experienced first the NAIA 3 and they won round trip tickets to Caticlan. They are lucky indeed on their Boracay vacation.
Looking forward to see and experience NAIA Terminal 3 soon.
