To ensure the comfort and needs of travelers this Christmas holidays, expected to surge as Christmas and New Year approach, taipans Ramon S. Ang of the New NAIA Infra Corp. and Manny V. Pangilinan's Meralco are partnering to cope with the energy requirements of the country's gateway.
Meralco, the country’s largest power utility, led by MVP will implement integrated power infrastructure projects across all terminals of NAIA for P1.25 billion to significantly enhance the reliability of the airport’s power supply and address the growing demands of airport operations.
To recall, NAIA's power system tripped on Jan.,1, 2024 causing the air traffic control to shut down, bringing the worst shame to the country.
These upgrades aim to improve power stability and reduce the risk of outages, which are crucial for ensuring smooth operations at NAIA.
Since taking over NAIA in September this year, RSA's NNIC has made significant strides in improving the airport’s infrastructure.
As the gateway to the Philippines, NAIA’s terminals handle a substantial volume of flights and passengers, making uninterrupted power supply essential for both safety and operational efficiency.
New power facilities
A key feature of Meralco’s plan is the construction of underground distribution facilities along the periphery of the NAIA complex, which will serve as a new power source for the terminals.
The new substation is designed to minimize power disruptions caused by external factors, such as natural disasters or unforeseen technical issues.
Meralco has already finalized the substation’s design and initiated the procurement of equipment, Bilyonaryo reported.
By relocating power lines underground, Meralco aims to enhance the airport’s resilience and prevent power interruptions that could affect flight schedules and terminal operations.
Targeted for completion by December 2025, the project is part of Meralco’s broader strategy to strengthen energy infrastructure at critical facilities across the Philippines.
Airport upgrade
Ang has committed to a 50- percent improvement in the passenger experience during the upcoming holiday season.
This will be achieved through various upgrades to the airport’s facilities, which are part of a larger, ongoing modernization initiative aimed at revitalizing the 76-year-old airport.
NNIC is focusing on upgrading both airside and landside areas, with infrastructure improvements and facility enhancements that will alleviate congestion and significantly enhance the overall passenger experience.
Ang said that all these years, NAIA has struggled with outdated infrastructure and power supply issues that have disrupted operations, inconvenienced travelers, and limited its potential as a transportation hub, Business Mirror noted.
In fact, the airport had several power outages—some lasted for hours—that led to flight delays and cancellations, which is why NNIC is focusing on infrastructure improvements.
“Years of underinvestment have left NAIA struggling to meet the demands of a modern airport. With Meralco as our partner, we are addressing power reliability as a top priority, alongside operational improvements such as decongesting traffic within the airport, widening roads, mitigating flooding, and replacing faulty equipment. These efforts directly improve functionality, safety, and the passenger experience, setting the foundation for a world-class airport that every Filipino can be proud of,” Ang was quoted as saying.
MVP said that highlighting the partnership’s potential to enhance tourism, support economic growth, and enrich travel experiences.
“By enhancing power reliability for the new NAIA, we are going to help empower the tourism and travel industry, support economic growth and enrich the travel experience for countless travelers. This will be a step towards NNIC’s goal of transforming our country’s vital gateway into a world-class facility,” he added.
To ensure seamless airport operations, Meralco subsidiary MSERV will install a 4900 KVA Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system across six critical locations, including NAIA Terminal 3 and the airfield.
This system will provide uninterrupted power for essential airport functions, further strengthening the airport’s resilience to outages.
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