By Ma. Cristina Arayata
MANILA – The head of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Wednesday lauded the New NAIA Infra Corp.’s (NNIC) new order that no longer requires passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to show their passports at the entrance gates.
“That (move) is good. Because there is recent news about passports (apparently) being torn. So it is better that fewer people would touch the passport, so as not to blame the staff,” MIAA General Manager Eric Ines told the Philippine News Agency.
In an advisory posted on NAIA’s Facebook page on Tuesday, the NNIC said all security personnel have been instructed not to touch passports during terminal entry and security verification.
The move seeks to better protect the travel documents and reduce unnecessary contact, the NNIC said.
Ines noted that passport inspection will be handled by the airline staff at the check-in counters, Immigration officers, and airline personnel at the boarding gates.
At the airport entrances, the NNIC said passengers will be asked to show their valid ID or travel document by holding it up themselves.
“As the airport operator, and in the spirit of teamwork with all stakeholders, we continue to take proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of all passengers,” the advisory read.
To recall, a recent social media post involving a torn passport that was flagged at the check-in counter at NAIA Terminal 3 became viral. There was no report of any mishandling involving NAIA security personnel, according to the NNIC.
“We are working closely with our airline partners, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to strengthen procedures and make sure incidents like this do not happen again,” the San Miguel Corp.-led consortium said. (PNA)
