MANILA, Philippines - The government has junked the plans for the new Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (NAIA-1) made by the design team led by internationally acclaimed designer Kenneth Cobonpue, according to an exclusive report by ABS-CBN's Chiara Zambrano. The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) opted to hire Leandro V. Locsin and Associates, the original architectural and engineering firm that designed the NAIA-1, to be in charge of the redesign of the 30-year-old airport. The news came as a shock to the design team composed of Cobonpue, architect Royal Pineda, designer Budji Layug who have been working on the NAIA-1 redesign project for the past 8 months, without pay. "A year ago, we were asked by several Cabinet secretaries to help with the country's branding and imaging. We were suggested, let's start with the airports," Cobonpue said.
Based on their proposal, the NAIA-1 project costs only P1 billion and can be finished in just a year. The plans involved turning the NAIA-1 into a boutique airport, by refurbishing the facilities, improving the retail shops and developing a park. Cobonpue said the project was already approved by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and former Transportation and Communication Secretary Ping de Jesus. So they were surprised to find out from friends and colleagues that they would no longer be tasked with the NAIA-1 project. Leandro V. Locsin & Associates has been named as the official design team for NAIA-1. "DOTC retained Leandro V. Locsin and Associates, the original architectural and engineering firm that designed NAIA Terminal 1... LVL's insights will be of valuable help in minimizing disruption to operations," Transportation and Communication Secretary Manuel Roxas said.
MIAA general manager Jose Honrado insisted they have never hired Cobonpue's design team for the NAIA-1 project. "Gusto ko lang liwanagin na walang formal commitment kami sa kanila. Recommendations lang nila yun eh. In-offer nila ang serbisyo nila, at kami'y nagpapasalamat," Honrado said. But this was denied by Pineda, who noted that the government asked them to undertake the project. "This was not an unsolicited effort. We were asked by the government. If that help is not asked, hindi naman kami pupunta doon," said Pineda, architect of Budji + Royal Architecture, Planning & Interior Design. However, Roxas said the government considered Pineda, Layug and Cobonpue's plans as mere "suggestions." "(They) have made available their inputs and interior design suggestions for the aesthetic 'look and feel' of NAIA," Roxas said. Cobonpue, Layug and Pineda said they were willing to drop the project, if this will be for the best interest of the country. But the design team wants the government to acknowledge that they once helped in the NAIA-1 redesign project. - Report from Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News
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