THE MANILA International Airport Authority (MIAA) is working with the US Department of Homeland Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to boost security measures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the country’s main gateway, by 2019.
“We were informed by the TSA about their observation regarding procedures, processes, equipment and personnel posting at the NAIA following an assessment period from Sept. 26 to Dec. 5 this year, during which time the MIAA and the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) have implemented measures to rectify and make improvements on security issues that were identified,” MIAA General Manager Ed V. Monreal said in a statement issued by the Department of Transportation (DoTr).
“Procurement for the necessary equipment are ongoing, but we need to understand that we cannot have these instantly. These are not items off the shelves and manufacturing time after we place the orders may take six months, but as instructed by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, we will make sure there will be no delays in the process so we can make use of these equipment within 2019,” Mr. Monreal added.
According to DOTr, the new background check procedures for newly-hired airport personnel will include the neighborhood, and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) checks for those implementing security control.
Submission of new clearances from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for all MIAA access pass holders will also be required.
“Secretary Tugade is monitoring our progress on a day to day basis to ensure that even the smallest concern is being addressed. He doesn’t want us to just wait and do nothing, so while we are waiting for the delivery of these equipment such as standalone alarm systems, manual interventions have been put in place, for instance, the posting of additional MIAA-contracted guards 24/7,” Mr. Monreal said.
Mr. Monreal said that there is already an ongoing procurement for walk-through metal detectors, X-ray machines and alarm systems.
Meanwhile, Mr. Monreal said that both MIAA and OTS had satisfactorily complied with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), according to ICAO’s latest security audit findings.
However, some comments and suggestions were given on implementing the corrective action plan crafted by the two agencies.
“Strict measures are being put into place in terms of personnel manning security checkpoints. In case of delinquency report, the concerned personnel will be immediately pulled out from the line and will undergo re-training before being sent back on line. But if a second delinquency incident occurs, then that personnel is out,” Mr. Monreal said. —Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio

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