U.S. Transportation Security Administration Provides Training to Philippine Counterparts

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) gathered with Philippine counterparts January 9-13 to provide training on emergency preparation and response and recovery at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. 32 delegates from the  Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Office for Transportation Security participated in the five-day course. 

The training provided guidance on emergency preparation and response and recovery, and highlighted the need for cooperation and collaboration across government agencies.  According to TSA Representative Anthony M. Mira, “the interaction between members of the Manila team and the U.S. trainers, along with the presence of a representative from Iloilo International Airport, resulted in a productive meeting of agencies and leaders who would normally need to coordinate closely during a crisis situation.  This training, will help to better prepare local response forces.” 

Assistant General Manager for Security and Emergency Services, Major General (Retired) Vicente Guerzon was a guest speaker at the event, and in his remarks to the group,stated that “the two vital components of competence and capability will place Manila International Airport Authority in a better position to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate the effects of incidents regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, with the end goal of reducing loss of life and property while at the same time maintaining airport operations.”  A joint initiative of the U.S. Embassy in Manila and the Office for Transportation Security to complete a Memorandum of Agreement for technical assistance will further aid Philippine transportation agencies professional development in aviation security. 

(In photo: U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) representatives gathered with their Philippine counterparts from January 9-13, 2012 to provide training on emergency preparation and response and recovery at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. 32 delegates from the Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Office for Transportation Security participated in the five-day course.)