The Skyway Operations and Maintenance Corp. (Somco), operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAx), took responsibility for the incident in Parañaque City, where a student pilot was injured after chunks of concrete fell from the Skyway and hit his car on Wednesday.
The incident happened between 12 noon and 1 p.m. along MIA Road in Barangay Tambo when hard debris believed to have come from the NAIA Expressway struck the victim’s sports utility vehicle.
The victim sustained a head injury and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital after the incident.
Initial reports also showed that the car’s windshield and hood were damaged by the rocks.
“We are coordinating with local authorities and the family of the individual involved to extend all necessary assistance. While this appears to be an isolated and highly unusual incident, our maintenance teams are now conducting a thorough inspection of the NAIAx carriageway to ensure there are no similar risks in the area,” Somco said in a statement.
“We take this matter very seriously and are committed to ensuring the continued safety of all road users,” it added.
Traffic police in Parañaque City are investigating the incident to determine the debris source and potential liability of contractors or agencies involved.
The incident also caused road congestion for at least one hour, prompting an official and other personnel from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to respond and manage the vehicular traffic in the area.
Personnel from the NAIAx maintenance and engineering office also responded to inspect the cause of the falling slabs of concrete.
In 2020, a steel girder fell from the ongoing construction at the Skyway extension project in Muntinlupa City, killing a person and injuring at least four others.
The incident—which happened along the East Service Road in Barangay Cupang—also damaged at least six vehicles, including three cars and two motorcycles, and caused heavy traffic in the areas of Sucat, Bicutan, and along the northbound lane of South Luzon Expressway.
