Palace vows to act on lax NAIA security issue
Malacañang assured that the government is doing its best to improve the security set-up at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), stressing that passenger safety is one of the administration’s top priority.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo issued the statement after the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advised passengers about the inadequate security measures at the NAIA.
The DHS directed all airlines issuing tickets for travel between the US and Manila to alert passengers in writing that security measures in NAIA are inadequate.
In a statement, Panelo said that they are now looking into the advisory, including their recommendations on improving airport security.
“We are looking into the United States Department of Homeland Security’s travel advisory, including their recommendations on how the government may tighten its current security measures, particularly as regards the safety of our airports,” he said Friday.
“Indeed, we remain fully committed in our continuing efforts to enhance and secure our airports and eventually protect and ensure the safety of travelers,” he added.
According to Panelo, hearing the inputs of global partners is one way to ensure that people entering and leaving the country are safe, especially with the threat of terrorism still looming.
“We intend to utilize the inputs of our global partners, including international assessment bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) whose latest security audit findings were found to be ‘generally satisfactory’ with ICAO standards of safety and security,” he said.
“We assure everyone that the Philippine government, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), is prioritizing the implementation of strict security measures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport,” he added.
The DHS recommended for the government to get more X-ray machines, walk-through metal detectors, and alarm systems to improve the security at the NAIA.
Panelo, however, noted that the procurement of the said items will take some time.
“As airport authorities explained, they expect such equipment to be installed and utilized only in the 2nd quarter of 2019,” he said.
“We thus laud the existing efforts of our various officials in the transport industry who have tirelessly made sure that our passengers reach their destinations from our transit stations safely and efficiently,” he added.
In a statement, the DHS said on December 26 that assessments done by experts from the Transport Security Administration (TSA) determined that the NAIA “does not maintain and carry out effective security consistent with the security standards” established by ICAO.
Aside from the order to issue written alerts to passengers, the DHS also said the security advisory on NAIA should be prominently displayed in all US airports that provide regular flight service to Manila.