By Ma. Cristina Arayata

Ninoy Aquino International Airport  (PNA file photo)  

MANILA – Just in time for the holiday influx, an additional 100 screening officers will be deployed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) confirmed on Thursday.

As of Nov. 30, there are 2,178 screening officers across the country, with 1,032 of them manning the country’s main gateway.

OTS Administrator Crizaldo Nieves said the additional 100 screeners are set to undergo basic aviation security training so they can be immediately deployed in time for the expected influx.

They will augment the manpower at security checkpoints of the four NAIA terminals.

“Aside from additional manpower, the auditors in civil aviation will be deployed 24/7 to check the adequate implementation of security measures at airports,” OTS spokesperson Kim Marquez told the Philippine News Agency.

Moreover, the OTS Transport Security Operations Center will be activated 24/7 for monitoring and reporting of any untoward incident.

The OTS is also continuously conducting preventive maintenance of security screening equipment to minimize breakdown during holiday influx, Marquez said. (PNA)