Canadian civil aviation officials are currently in the Philippines to take part in a five-day assessment of aviation security measures concerning Manila-Canada flights.
Transport Canada inspectors Abdel Tahir and Barbara Durette have joined the inspections jointly conducted by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and Office for Transportation Security (OTS).
The assessment covered the air carriers’ security procedures on passenger and baggage screening, cargo and mail security, and access control measures, among others.
The Canadian visitors will also observe security measures being implemented by the Philippine Airlines for its flight to Toronto, Canada, specifically regarding the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations.
MIAA acting 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 it is safe and secured,” Chiong said.
“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,” he added.
For his part, OTS transport security oversight and compliance service officer-in-charge Rodelio Jocson, who represented the OTS during the entry brief, said security is a shared responsibility that each of the key players has to perform.
“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.
Meanwhile, OTS administrator Undersecretary Ma.O R. Aplasca highlighted the guidance by Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista to ensure that security measures comply with international standards and recommended practices.
“Evolving terror threats remind us to re-evaluate our security measures, and look for ways on 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,” Aplasca said.
Transport Canada is the Canadian government ministry responsible for transportation policies and programs. In the aviation sector, it is responsible for aircraft registration, drone safety, fight crew licensing, civil aviation medicine, enforcement, and occupation health and safety, among others.