NAIA READY BY 2013 YET

PRESIDENT Benigno C. Aquino III said yesterday that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal III (T3) could be fully operational by 2013.

He said the government, through the Department of Transportation and Communication, signed a memorandum of understanding last month with Takenaka Corp., a Japanese contractor, for the delivery of 23 system at T3.

Aquino attended yesterday the Semiconductors and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc. (108th General Membership Meeting and the 17th World Electronics Forum at the Mactan Shangri-la Island Spa and Resort in Lapu-lapu City.

The businessmen believed that failure to fully utilize the T3 hampers the inflow of investments and tourists in the country.

“I’m not clear exactly which of the issues with regards to Naia 3 you’re referring. If it’s in terms of the arbitration procedures, that’s practically complete. There are two that we have undergone, but that is not the issue,” Aquino said when asked about the Naia 3 issue.

“When it will be fully operational? I understand between a year and a year and-ahalf, it will be fully operational. There’s a memorandum of understanding already with the Takenaka group to finish the portion of the work that has been left aside,” he said. (Sdr/sunnex)