PHILIPPINES: NAIA Intensifies Security Measures as Surge of Passengers Seen
Additional security measures will be implemented at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) following the terminal transfer of some flights amid the expected influx of passengers this holiday season, an official disclosed Monday.
Ma. O Aplasca, Office for Transportation Security (OTS) Administrator, said additional manpower, equipment, and screening process are among those that can be expected at the country’s main gateway.
Aplasca said Philippine Airlines (PAL) passengers going to and from the United States and Canada using NAIA’s Terminal 1 should expect an added screening process beginning Dec. 1.
Earlier, PAL announced that from Terminal 2, its flights to and from the United States, Guam, and Doha will be operating at Terminal 1 beginning Dec. 1.
“The equipment that PAL is using at Terminal 2, and some of the staff, were transferred to Terminal 1. We conducted an inspection last week, and we asked for some adjustments,” Aplasca told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.
PAL will require additional pre-departure screenings.
Meanwhile, at least 40 additional OTS personnel assigned at the headquarters, will be deployed at the NAIA to augment the manpower this holiday season.
Currently, there are 1,156 OTS staff deployed in the four terminals of NAIA. Aplasca said the additional 40 will help in the baggage screening now that they are expecting a surge in the passenger volume.
Computer tomography or CTs and advanced imaging technology (AIT) scanners are also placed at Terminals 1, 2 and 3, to help in the screening of passengers and their packages.
These scanners that could detect possible explosives are more advanced compared to the single-view and double-view x-ray screeners the airport has long been using.
“The CT scanner would detect possible explosives, even without removing liquid or laptop from the baggage. Similarly, the AIT would immediately locate a metal from the passenger,” he said.
At present, the airport has four units of CT and six AIT scanners that are operational.
Aplasca expressed hope that the government would purchase more of this equipment to make the country at par with other nations in terms of airport security and safety.
