PAL beefing up airport security

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will install over 150 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 2 to improve security.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado welcomed the initiative of the nation’s flag carrier, although he probably won’t be around when the highly advanced CCTV system is installed.

Honrado explained that the planned purchase by the MIAA of new cameras had suffered a hitch due to delays in the bidding process.

The second lowest bidder was disqualified during post-qualification evaluation for the supply, installation and commissioning of a CCTV system at the Naia complex for P486 million.

Honrado said that after the second lowest bidder’s motion for reconsideration was denied, the firm filed a protest—an optional relief under Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act—which has yet to be resolved by the MIAA board of directors.

The CCTV project is intended to upgrade the Naia’s surveillance system and leave no blind spot in the entire 4-terminal airport complex with the installation of 719 cameras. Currently, the Naia complex has 422 security cameras scattered over the four terminals.

Under the terms of reference the new CCTV system must have an analytical function which includes facial recognition and visual enhancement, and an intrusion detection function which reads heat signatures. The P486-million project also involves the setup of independent monitoring hubs for each terminal which will then be hooked up to a command operations center.

Honrado revealed that PAL’s proposal to finance the installation of 152 CCTV cameras specifically at Terminal 2 was approved on Monday last week by the MIAA board of directors.

The 152 security cameras, according to Honrado, will augment the 93 already installed at Naia 2, which is the PAL terminal.

“PAL will be shouldering the cost of procurement and installation of the cameras which will be placed primarily at the check-in counters and baggage buildup areas,” Honrado said, adding that the airline will also shoulder the utility, operation and maintenance costs.

He said that under the agreement, the MIAA will have access to the new CCTV system.