Iloilo Airport to remove initial security screening
The Iloilo Airport has been ordered to remove initial security screening to make more space for passengers.
Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez issued the directive following an inspection of the airport on Sept. 27.
"Kailangan nang tanggalin ito kasi redundant na 'yung proseso," Lopez said in a statement on Sunday, adding that getting rid of the initial X-rays would help ease crowding at check-in.
The acting DOTr secretary gave the airport management a 15-day deadline to submit their action plan regarding the new policy.
While the initial security measures will be removed, there's still a final security check before entering the boarding gates.
Furthermore, Lopez has ordered airport management to finalize plans on expanding the passenger terminal building, fast-tracking the implementation of automated check-in with facial recognition, and improving its runway to service bigger aircraft.
In June, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced that the Iloilo International Airport would undergo a P190 million facelift to increase passenger capacity.
The improvements aim to increase the capacity of the passenger terminal building for domestic and international flights by 84% and 13%, respectively.
The agency aims to place 10 airports, including Iloilo, under public-private partnership by 2028. This also includes Davao, Siargao, Laoag, Busuanga, Bicol, Tacloban, Bacolod-Silay, General Santos, and Puerto Princesa.
Meanwhile, in Manila, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is set to implement facial recognition technology to reduce queues and eliminate the need for passports and identification cards.
It's expected to be rolled out before Christmas and is intended to mainly benefit overseas Filipino workers passing through immigration.
Other upgrades, like relocating hired vehicles and taxis underground to reduce congestion, are underway.