MIAA orders removal of dry grass at NAIA parking lot after fire incident

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Tuesday ordered the concessionaire operating the extension parking lot of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 to remove the dry grass in the area following Monday's fire. 

This, as the MIAA announced that the fire that damaged a total of 19 vehicles may have been caused by a grassfire due to the extremely hot weather. 

MIAA spokesperson Chris Bendijo said that their general manager, Eric Ines, has prohibited the concessionaire Philippine Skylanders International (PSI) from operating the parking area until it takes out all the dry grass surrounding the property.  

“Yesterday, after the incident, pinatawag sila ng ating GM, and they were specifically instructed na talagang bungkalin na ang property na ‘yan so that they will be removing talaga itong dry grass, and of course they will cover it up with crushed rocks at saka gravel,” Bendijo said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview. 

(After the incident yesterday, our general manager specifically instructed them to dig up that property to really remove the dry grass and, of course, cover it up with crushed rocks and gravel.)

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said the fire broke out in the parking lot around 1:35 p.m. and was declared out around 2:03 p.m. 

Eighteen cars were totally burned while one was partially burned.

As of Tuesday morning, Bendijo said that seven affected car owners have already been identified and that they have reached out to themwhile the PSI is still looking for the twelve others. 

Asked if he sees any foul play in the incident, Bendijo said that it might be unintentional. 

“Based on the CCTV footage na pinadala sa’min dito, at least this is based from my personal observation, wala naman tayong nakikitang intentional or pananabotahe or foul play. It appears na talagang grassfire,” he said. 

(Based on the CCTV footage that was sent to us, and this is based on my personal observation, I don't see any intentional burning, sabotage, or foul play.)

He also said that the PSI vowed to assume liability for the damage caused by the fire incident to the vehicles and that they will be reaching out to the affected owners. 

“That is also the commitment that they also gave to MIAA—that they will not shy away from the liability given, any at all,” he added. 

To prevent any similar incidents from occurring again, Bendijo said that MIAA will deploy a firetruck near the area, acquire bigger fire extinguishers, and remind car owners not to leave any flammable materials in their vehicles such as alcohols and lighters. 

The incident did not affect the operations of NAIA terminals. —VAL, GMA Integrated News