DOT welcomes lifting of security notice at NAIA by US Homeland Security

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has welcomed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to lift the public notice on its security concerns at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

“We, at DOT, are very elated and encouraged by this development as we renew our commitment to extend to the public, particularly our international visitors, the highest potentials of the Filipino brand of service,” DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement Friday.

“This development also augurs well for the DOT’s efforts to increase tourist arrivals and for the development of a culture of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism in the country,” she added.

DHS said Thursday night Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan has ordered the immediate rescission of a public notice regarding the inadequate security measures at NAIA.

READ: US Homeland Security lifts security travel notice on NAIA

The notice issued last December 2018 was based on assessments by a team of security experts from Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

READ: U.S. Homeland Security issues alert on travel to PH

Puyat also congratulated Transportation Sec. Art Tugade and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) chief Ed Monreal “for undertaking corrective measures to address security issues raised by the TSA.”  /muf