Monday, January 28, 2008 CPA orders port bodies to strengthen security
CRIMINALS will now have a hard time operating at the pier area because all port management bodies are now mandated to have a security plan that follows the standards and procedures set by the Office of the Transport Security (OTS).
Cebu Port Authority (CPA) General Manager Angelo Verdan said all port stakeholders, including shipping lines, warehouses and arrastre services, among others are required to participate in the OTS security trainings.
Verdan said Col. Oscar Lopez, port safety and security division manager, is representing CPA in the OTS meeting in Manila to discuss the security and safety plans and programs of the Cebu domestic ports.
Passengers
Transient fugitives of the law can now be easily identified under the OTS security because departing passengers must properly identify themselves.
The OTS was created by Executive Order (EO) 311 and is designated as a single authority responsible for the security of the transportation system in the country.
Placed under the OTS are the country’s civil aviation, sea transport and maritime infrastructure, land transportation and rail system.
Verdan said that on sea transport, the OTS shall ensure the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
At present, the Cebu International Port (CIP) is ISPS compliant for five years as certified by OTS.
CPA Commissioner Tomas A. Riveral said that while CIP, as an international port, is under the IMO’s ISPS, the National Security Program for Sea Transport and Maritime Infrastructure is designed for domestic ports.
Implementation
Riveral said this will unite all port stakeholders who will work hand in hand in the implementation of security measures.
Citing as example, he said that while the CPA is in charged of security and safety of the people from the port gate to the passenger terminal and to the vessel, shipping lines operators are tasked to secure them inside the ships.
Riveral added that shipping line workers and management must make sure that all passengers are properly identified before boarding the vessels as part of the security measures.
At present, members of the Visayas Ferryboat and Coastwise Service Operators are not issuing tickets to passengers who have no proper identification cards. (EOB)
