Arroyo seeks creation of transport security agency

The Luneta hostage-taking crisis in 2010. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo filed a bill seeking to create a transportation security commission to address threats of terrorism in the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, Arroyo said she filed House Bill  5092 entitled the Philippine Transportation Security Act of 2017, which seeks to create a commission that will “improve the reliability and security” of transportation in the country.

“An independent and single authority performing oversight function of the transportation security becomes essential given the network characteristics of international and domestic travel and the consequent accountability challenges that exist in the transportation sector,” Arroyo said.

Citing terror attacks in airports and train stations in Europe, as well as the Luneta hostage-taking crisis in 2010, Arroyo said it is high time for the country to invest in an office that will secure all modes of transportation.

Arroyo proposed that the Office of the Transportation Security (OTS) which was created during her administration be transformed into the National Transportation Security Regulatory Commission (NTSRC).

The OTS under the Department of Transportation was created during Arroyo’s time as president under Executive Order No. 277.

Under her proposed law, the NTRSC is tasked to implement a transportation security program that will make sure that the country comply with its international obligations on transportation, as well as to harmonize existing regulatory policies.

The Commission will also ensure that the responsibilities of the concerned transportation agencies are properly delineated to avoid conflicting mandate.

“The system of accountability ensures that relevant government agencies, as well as industry players tasked to perform functions geared towards deterrence, protection and response to terrorist attacks and other acts of unlawful interference, are performing their functions effectively and efficiently, thereby the reducing the possibility and mitigating the consequences of terrorist attacks,” she said

The new commission will have oversight powers over the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB),d Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The NTRSC will also cover government and private airports, sea ports and land transportation operators.

The NTRSC will be headed by a chairman and four members who will be appointed by the President with a fixed term of 7 years with no re-appointment.

The officers should not be related by consanguinity or affinity with any investor, stockholder, officer or director of any company engaged in the transportation industry to avoid conflict of interest.

“Just like the first world countries in America and Europe, as well as in Asia, the transportation industry in the Philippines is facing challenges in the area of transportation security which, if not systematically addressed, could potentially jeopardize the phenomenal and unprecedented growth the country has been experiencing in the recent years. Thus, defining and criminalizing acts of unlawful interference in transportation systems, and imposing stringent penalties and sanctions to such acts or to any violations of transportation security regulations becomes mandatory,” Arroyo said. Celine Amilhamja, trainee