Transport Canada conducted security assessment on local carrier Philippine Airlines' handling security procedures on passengers and baggage screening which have flights bound for Canada .
A five-day joint aviation security assessment-- from November 14 to 18-- is being held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as part of reevaluation of security measures and ways on improving the system for flights safety.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said the Philippines, through the Office for Transportation Office (OTS) and airport authorities, and in coordination with Transport Canada is conducting a series of assessments.
Transport Canada and Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, are observing the implementation of aviation security measures implemented by local carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) for flights bound for Toronto, Canada.
The assessment also include the air carrier's handling security procedure on passenger and baggage screening, cargo and mail security, and access control measures, among others.
MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong noted that "safety and security of the airports, as the country's primary gateways, are paramount."
"The airport is a very important gateway to the country, and as such, we have to make sure that is safe and secured," Chiong said, adding, "As I told the team, in any assessment, we do not expect it to be perfect. The idea really, is to understand where the weak points are, and see where we can improve."
OTS Transport Security Oversight and Compliance Service Officer-in-Charge Rodelio Jocson, who represented the OTS during the entry brief, highlighted that security is a shared reaponsibility that each of the key players has to perform.
"We note that security is a shared responsibility, and it is our goal to ensure the safety and security of our passengers in the airport. I hope that this activity will guide and improve our security measures following international standards," Jocson said.
In separate meetings, OTS Administrator Ma. O Aplasca emphasized the guidance by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista to ensure that security measures must be leveled with international standards and recommended practices.
"Evolving terror threats remind us to re-evaluate our security measures, and look for ways on how to improve the system. In order to do this, we have to work together and collaborate with our foreign counterparts to assess threats and vulnerabilities which we may not see, but our foreign counterparts do. Sharing of best practices is therefore material in improving overall aviation security," Aplsaca said.
Transport Canada's Inspection team led by Transport Security Inspector Abel Tahir, presented the five-day security assessment plan. He was joined by his colleague Transport Security Inspector Barbara Durette.
For the Philippines, OTS National Aviation Security Audotors Gervy Sazon and Melanie Base joined the Canadian inspectors in the security assessment.
Among the officials attended the entry brief was Enrico Francisco Gonzalez, MIAA officer in charge of the Assistant General Manager for Security and Emergency Services, OTS Chief of ths International Affairs Division Joey Carillo, Civil Aviation Division - Airport Section Head Judith Rendon, and PAL Vice President for Security Cesar Ronnie Ordoyo.
Tags: #5dayseriesofassessment, #transportcanada, #reevaluationofsecuritymeasures, #ots, #miaa, #flightssafety