FILE PHOTO: Senator Grace Poe calls for improved services at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport during a plenary session on December 12, 2022. On Monday, February 6, 2023, Poe filed Senate Resolution No 463 seeking a secure baggage and passenger system at airports across the country. (Bibo Nueva Espa帽a/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Senator Grace Poe filed Senate Resolution No. 463 on Monday to ensure the security of both baggage and passengers at airports all over the nation.
The move was spurred by the news of the 鈥渂ukas maleta鈥� (open suitcase or open luggage) modus at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), which has caused alarm. The resolution is meant to create a more creative and secure system at all airports.
鈥淭here are numerous reports concerning stolen items and damaged luggage of air passengers upon arriving at NAIA,鈥� she stated in her resolution.
鈥溾�楤ukas Maleta鈥� incidents in our airports should not be the norm and must be properly addressed by the Department of Transportation and the Manila International Airport Authority, in accordance with the redress provided under the Air Passenger Bill of Rights and the Montreal Convention, for the peace of mind of all air passengers sojourning in our airports,鈥� added Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services.
Current protocols in taking care of passenger luggage, said Poe, must be assessed and intensified as negative incidents reinforce the country鈥檚 鈥渦nfortunate image as the world鈥檚 worst airport.鈥�
READ: NAIA third most stressful airport in Asia 鈥� study
She said that such incidents affect the country鈥檚 economy and reputation in a negative way, which may discourage foreign tourists and investors from entering the Philippines.
Last year, Poe called on the government to address services and congestion issues at the Naia.
READ: Poe calls on gov鈥檛 to address congestion, services problems at Naia
.
RELATED STORY
Poe believes CAAP 鈥榓lmost 100% responsible鈥� for air traffic fiasco