US hits poor NAIA security
Credit to Author: BENJIE VERGARA, TMT| Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2018 16:15:45 +0000
THE NINOY Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has failed to meet the security standards of the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA), triggering a travel advisory to airline passengers and dealing a blow to the country’s aviation and tourism sectors.
In a statement, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said NAIA “does not maintain and carry out effective security consistent with the security standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” based on assessments by a team of TSA security experts.
“In view of this finding and effective immediately, airlines issuing tickets for travel between the United States and [NAIA] are directed to notify passengers in writing of this determination,” the DHS statement, dated December 26, added.
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has ordered advisories “displayed prominently at all US airports that provide regularly scheduled service to [NAIA] and that it be published in the Federal Register.”
Under US law, the DHS is responsible for assessing security at foreign airports with direct service to the United States, to ensure they meet international standards set by ICAO.
The advisory prompted a statement from US Ambassador Sung Kim, who said: “We are collaborating closely with the Philippines Department of Transportation and related agencies, and have every confidence in their leadership and their commitment to improve aviation security,”
“Philippine authorities have worked diligently to improve security measures and we fully expect that they will soon meet ICAO security standards,” he added.
Inconsistency, lack of X-ray machines
The culprits were the lack of consistency of security at airport terminal entrances and inadequate x-ray machines, walk-through metal detectors and alarm systems, said Ed Monreal, general manager of the state-owned Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
Monreal clarified that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) did not fail the security audit by TSA personnel for the period of September to December 2018, and that there was no downgrading of Philippine aviation.
“The TSA noticed the inconsistencies of security personnel manning the entrance,” he told reporters in a news conference. Moreover, some of airport users did not follow security rules, he said.
“There is no cause for alarm even as we put in place security enhancements following the recommendations of the US-TSA. There is nothing among these recommendations that cannot be addressed,” Monreal said.
Monreal noted that the ICAO’S latest security audit finding on Manila airport was “generally satisfactory” in terms of standards of safety and security.
Monreal said that during an exit briefing on December 7, the TSA recommended 16 improvements, nine of which have been addressed by the MIAA.
The seven improvements were: adequate screening staffing, protection of hold baggage, land side security measures, a contingency plan, a clear zone and vehicle screening.
Other areas that needed to be addressed are: an airport security program, background checks, access control, non-passenger/staff screening, checking against access points, random screening of passengers, hold baggage, certification of screeners and quality control.
“Rest assured, these improvements are not intended to put burden on the passengers instead, these are being done to ensure a secured flight for everyone. We are closely working with the US-TSA, in this regard,” Monreal stressed.
Monreal said the MIAA saw the TSA findings as an opportunity to pursue a campaign “for culture change among our stakeholders and other airport users in NAIA.”
The airport chief appealed to passengers and airport users to cooperate with security inspections.
PH still a safe destination – DoT
The Department of Tourism (DoT) on Thursday said the Philippines was still a safe haven for tourists, despite the US travel advisory.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that while the DoT respects the US DHS’ announcement and findings, the country was still a viable and safe destination for foreign visitors.
“We assure the international community, that the Philippines remains a safe haven for our visitors and residents alike,” Puyat said in a statement.
“We are confident that our authorities are capable of addressing the issues raised in the public notice. We are therefore optimistic that we will meet our foreign visitor arrivals target in 2019,” she told reporters in a text message.
Puyat said the agency was coordinating with authorities in ensuring the safety of tourists and locals in NAIA and during flights.
“The management and security officers of the Manila International Airport Authority together with the Department of Transportation, under the leadership of Secretary [Arthur] Tugade, have committed to positively address this concern. We are confident in their capabilities to handle this issue and we are ready to help them in any way to expedite the resolution,” she said.
“We are in close coordination with the Philippine National Police and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines tasked to oversee our aviation security,” she added.
WITH NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS
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