DOTr imposes stricter measures for airport ground handlers after luggage theft
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. INQUIRER file photo / ELOISA LOPEZ
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade has issued stricter guidelines for airport ground handling firms to clean up their ranks following a baggage theft incident at Clark International Airport.
Tugade, in a video interview with a blog site MindaVote, announced that the uniforms of airport personnel should no longer have pockets, while personnel boots or shoes should not be loose.
The DOTr chief also ordered baggage handlers to wear body cameras. He said airport officials were asked to produce an initial 100 cameras, while security companies were also directed to buy their own.
Personnel were also prohibited to bring or use mobile phones while on duty, Tugade said. Wearing jewelry would also be prohibited, he said.
In addition, Tugade said that ground handling firms should also be held liable for their employees’ acts.
READ: Duterte wants contract of Miascor terminated for luggage theft incident
“Kapag may kasalanan ang tao nila, lalo higit sa droga at pagnanakaw (When their personnel got involved indrugs or theft), the company should also be held liable. I will put at stake their license to do business. I will suspend or terminate their contract,” Tugade said.
In addition, Tugade called on airport ground handling firms to clean up their ranks following a controversial baggage theft incident at Clark International Airport.
READ: Clark airport exec suspends 6 employees tagged in luggage theft incident
In a statement, the DOTr said Tugade met with airport officials, ground handling companies, manpower service providers, and security managers.
“I’m giving you five days to clean your ranks. Send me the list of your employees and guards. Kapag meron dyan na may record o kaso, tanggal buong kumpanya (If they have any record, the whole company is out),” Tugade said as quoted by the DOTr.
The Clark airport management recently ordered the suspension of six employees under Miascor Aviation Services for their alleged involvement in a luggage theft incident that has gone viral on Facebook.
Clark airport acting president Alexander Cauguiran said the employees would also face administrative charges for the pilferage of a luggage owned by netizen Jovenil Dela Cruz.
Miascor compensated Dela Cruz for the lost item amounting to P84,000, Cauguiran said. /jpv
