CAAP installs CCTV in air traffic equipment room

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has installed CCTV units  in its air traffic equipment rooms after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri called out the agency amid the technical glitch at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport that shut down Philippine airspace on New Year’s Day.

CAAP director general Manuel Antonio Tamayo had said during the Senate hearing on Thursday that there was no CCTV coverage in the equipment rooms, but that there were cameras covering other areas of the facility.

Zubiri thanked the CAAP officials for their immediate response, saying that it was “better late than never.”

“Salamat sa CAAP at inaksyonan nila ngayong araw ang utos natin kahapon sa Senado na lagyan agad ng CCTV cameras sa mga sensitibo and kritikal na areas na nakalagay ang ating Communication Navigation Surveillance and Air Traffic Management equipment,” Zubiri said in a statement on Friday.

“Sana nalagyan na yan dati pa ng CCTV para nalaman natin kung ano talaga nangyari noong January 1. Pero ‘Better late than Never,’” he added.

He said that the director general has sent him photos that all five cameras were being installed at the equipment room where the circuit breaker is located.

The Senate public services committee on Thursday launched an investigation into the fiasco that happened in the country's main gateway on January 1.

At least 282 flights were canceled, diverted, or delayed on New Year's Day as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) recorded a technical issue at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC) at 9:50 a.m. Some 56,000 passengers were affected at the NAIA.—LDF, GMA Integrated News