IMPROVED SECURITY. An airport screener at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in this undated photo. Office for Transportation Security Administrator Crizaldo Nieves said Friday (Aug. 30, 2024) that security and screening are expected to improve soon as additional staff, training and equipment are underway. (Photo courtesy of OTS)
MANILA – Security and manpower performance at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will improve once the private sector takes over, the head of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) said Friday.
"Because private companies are well-funded, we anticipate that they could acquire the equipment essential for high-level security," OTS Administrator Crizaldo Nieves told the Philippine News Agency.
He added that recruitment is ongoing for an additional 391 OTS employees, most of whom will be stationed at the country's main gateway.
The additional staff would make screening process faster at NAIA, thus improving passenger experience, he said.
There are currently 2,129 OTS staff in 51 airports in the country, with 1,000 deployed at the NAIA.
Nieves said OTS screeners will also undergo customer relations training.
"It is important that they treat passengers with respect and be more patient. Some of the passengers are in a hurry to catch their flights, some are grumpy. Screeners have to be mindful," he said.
Nieves added that passengers could reach out to the OTS supervisors or the airport management to complain about rude and arrogant staff.
"If they feel the screener didn't do the right thing or if violations were committed, they could report these to us," Nieves said.
He added that he wants to coordinate with telecommunications firms so the OTS could have a three-digit hotline number that passengers could immediately contact for complaints. (PNA)
