NAIA trains cameras on baggage carousels, loaders

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has installed two closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for every baggage carousel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), an official said yesterday.

The CCTV cameras would allow passengers to see for themselves that their luggage is being transported from the plane to the baggage conveyors, MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said.

All baggage loaders are also equipped with body cameras to curb pilferage, he added.

Many travelers have posted on social media sites stories and photos about losing items from their checked-in luggage or balikbayan boxes.

Monreal said he also deployed intelligence officers to monitor the transport of luggage from the plane to the conveyor.

He appealed to employees of service providers at NAIA to “not shame our country in this manner,” referring to the pilferage of travelers’ luggage. 

Monreal said all personnel must be frisked before entering and leaving the tarmac while baggage loaders are not allowed to have pockets.

The body cameras’ footage will also be reviewed before the loaders are allowed to leave.

“It is time to make our airport an airport free from pilferage,” Monreal said.

The CCTV system was installed at the cost of P2,117,400, he said.