‘One security check’ policy pushed in 42 airports

MANILA, Philippines — To enhance ease of travel, air passengers will only have to go through one security check at the country’s 42 airports once the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) approves the new policy of the Office of Transportation Security (OTS).

“We will make the travel experience more pleasant with balanced security measures,” OTS administrator Ma. O Aplasca said as his office proposed the removal of the initial security check at airports.

The proposed one security checkpoint in all airports managed by the CAAP has already made a successful dry-run last Dec. 1 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

If CAAP director general Manuel Antonio Tamayo will approve its implementation in all 42 airports of the country, Aplasca said the initial security check will already be removed by early next year.

“I and my men are now conducting security assessments in different airports in the country, assessing the security situations and will make a recommendation to DG Tamayo for their approval,” he said.

CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said that Aplasca and Tamayo held talks last week about the matter, but the latter has required the submission of the OTS assessment and recommendation for evaluation.

At present, testing the one security check policy is ongoing at NAIA Terminals 2 and 4. The Iloilo International Airport in Western Visayas is also ready to remove the initial check.

It is yet unclear if the new security policy will be implemented this month at NAIA Terminal 3.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Clark International Airport and Subic International Airport, on the other hand, are designed with a new security system in line with the security standard of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

With regard to the airports in Mindanao, Aplasca said they are currently being assessed according to the local security situation.

“We cannot afford (to trim security measures in) areas which are not properly secured,” he said.

“We will implement the full security system in all airports in the country as the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group will be there with their K-9 bomb sniffing and their personnel patrolling and police visibility 24/7,” he added.