NAIA ramps up pest control after passengers complain of bugs
Bugs have reportedly infested some furniture installed inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 bringing discomfort to some passengers.
According to a “24 Oras” report by Chino Gaston on Wednesday, registered nurse “Kris” got several rashes on her legs after sitting down on the rattan furniture in the arrival area last week.
“Sabi [ng clinic sa terminal] under investigation pa ito, pero alam ko surot yung kumagat sa akin,” said Kris.
([The terminal clinic] said that it was under investigation, but I know that bedbugs bit me)
On Feb. 9, “Crissel” started to feel itchiness on her legs after sitting down on the terminal’s metal benches.
She discovered rashes and small bites on her skin when she arrived home.
“May something parang may naglalakad or makati tapos ang inisip ko lang po baka may buhok. Kinagabihan pagdating namin sa province, kinapa ko po may malaking pantal. The next day, bilog bilog na lang sila na maliliit sobrang dami,” Crissel said.
(I felt something walking or itchy and I thought it might be hair. The night I arrived in our province, I felt big rashes on my leg. The next day, there were a lot of small circles)
“Siguro di na po enough yung linis ngayon, dapat tanggalin na,” she added.
(I guess it’s not enough to clean, they have to remove it)
Bedbugs, parasitic insects that often infest dark areas such as the sides of a bed or sofa, live off the blood of their victims and cause itchiness on the spot of the bite.
More recently, similar infestations have been observed in Paris, Hongkong and Korea.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) apologized to the victims of the bug infestation and said it is ramping up pest control in the airport.
“The MIAA apologizes to the victim and assures them that a speedy resolution to this can be expected,” it said in a statement.
It added the seats identified in the reports have been pulled out permanently, and disinfection schedules will continue.
“Directive was also given for the conduct of comprehensive facility inspections and enhanced sanitation measures,” MIAA added. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News
