The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) and the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) have started implementing “Oplan Semana Santa 2018” in anticipation of the influx of passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) terminals this Holy Week from March 29 to April 1.
Last year Philippine airport authorities welcomed a total of 6,093,786 domestic and international passengers during the Lenten break.
Miaa General Manager Ed V. Monreal said “security measures are in place to ensure the safety of the traveling public and other airport users.”
He said they have put up “Help Desks” and medical tents in every terminal, as public affairs personnel will assist passengers, “especially the senior citizens.”
Monreal said they are in touch with the airline representatives, the bureaus of Immigration and of Customs and other security agencies operating at the airport for the smooth flow of passengers.
Caap, on the other hand, said added security measures will be in place to ensure safe, reliable and convenient operations at all 40 commercial airports in the country during the next two weeks.
There are 12 area managers handling the 37 Caap-managed airports nationwide who were advised that maximum deployment of service and security personnel will be observed.
“The Holy Week would observe a no leave and day-off policy,” Caap said in a statement.
At the same time, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, in coordination with the Airport Police Department, will field several K9s and heavily armed personnel that will remain highly visible to the public.
The Office of Transport Security said they will implement strict body screening and luggage inspection in every airport in the country.
Air travelers are reminded not to bring any prohibited items to the airport and to stow all belongings in one’s carry-on baggage for faster processing at the screening checkpoints.
Meanwhile, Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña appointed over the weekend Mimel Talusan, replacing acting Naia collector Ramon Anquilan and Vincent Philip Maronila, after collector Ed Macabeo retired last November.