THE Duterte government is focused on implementing "strict" security measures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Malacañang assured the public on Friday, December 28.
"We assure everyone that the Philippine government, through the Department of Transportation, the Manila International Airport Authority, and the Office for Transportation Security, is prioritizing the implementation of strict security measures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
He made assurance on the heels of a United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advisory about the inadequate security measures at the NAIA, the Philippines' main international gateway.
In a travel advisory posted on its website, the DHS said the NAIA "does not maintain and carry out effective security consistent with the security standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)."
ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations which sets the standards for aviation practices among member states.
Responding to the DHS's warning, Panelo cited the latest security audit findings of ICAO, which found that NAIA was “generally satisfactory” with international assessment body's standards of safety and 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," Panelo said.
"Ensuring the safety of the traveling public is one of the critical interests of our government in view of the looming threat of terrorism," he added.
Panelo likewise noted that the Philippine government was eyeing the procurement of more X-ray machines, walk-through metal detectors, and alarm systems to improve NAIA services.
The Palace official said the government was expecting that the equipment would be installed and utilized in the second quarter of 2019.
"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. Tanim bala (bullet- planting), for one, is a thing of the past," he said.
"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. (SunStar Philippines)