The Office for Transportation Security reported on Friday that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport has passed the initial security assessment of the United States Transportation Security Administration.
OTS administrator Undersecretary Ma.O Aplasca said NAIA has satisfied all the requirements of the US-TSA when they were assessed how to handle airport security within the complex of the country’s primary airport, especially the airlines’ flights to US.
The undersecretary disclosed that he personally talked to US-TSA Attaché Robert Rouland recently in the office of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and discussed the capacity development efforts for Philippine airport authorities in the next twelve months.
They also talked about the observations and how to implement the recommendations made by US TSA during the recently concluded security assessment of NAIA.
Aplasca said the OTS is waiting for the final result of the assessment of NAIA that the US TSA will release soon.
In July of 2019, the US-TSA began outlining multiple sustainable security initiatives with the OTS as one of its beneficiaries, alongside the Manila International Airport Authority under the umbrella of an airport partnership.
Aplasca and Rouland were joined by US-TSA Program Analyst Karen Dizon and OTS International Affairs Division Nova Gatmaitan, and Katherine Joy Chavez of the Civil Aviation Security Division.
Meanwhile, The Transport secretary said that the agency will privatize at least 10 regional airports in an effort to provide convenience and enjoyable experience to local and foreign air travelers.
Bautista said that the plan to work out private partnerships is aimed at making the operation in the said airports more efficient and among the regional airports being eyed for privatization are those in Bohol, Bicol, Laguindingan, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Kalibo, Bacolod, Siargao, Davao and Busuanga.
According to Bautista, the DoTr is now in the process of talking to certain groups who have expressed interest and willingness to study the feasibility of joining the government in running the said airports.