ANGARA CALLS FOR STRONGER PUBLIC TRANSPORT SECURITY

Recognizing the vital role of transportation in business, social and economic activity, Senator Edgardo J. Angara emphasized the need for more comprehensive security measures. Angara urges to install and implement security programs throughout the country to prevent security threats to human lives and property.

"The country should promote the installation of transportation security measures whose standards and practices are internationally recognized and considered world class. Safety and security in all means and modes of public transportation will drive national development and increase productivity," said Angara.

The bill seeks to establish measures to prevent weapons, explosives or other dangerous person, elements, devices and cargoes which may be used to commit an act of unlawful interference, the carriage or bearing of which should not be authorized, from being introduced by any means whatsoever, on board a transport system.

Angara noted, "It is especially beneficial to the Philippines that it is in full accord with other countries' minimum safety and security requirements in public transportation by adopting internationally accepted standards and practices prescribed for transportation security."

Various organizations of nations and international communities and economies like the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC and other regional organization of nations have been promoting and have place in operation intermodal transportation security system to be in full consistency and control over the safety and convenience of all inter-modal transport system.

The Philippines as a member of the international community of nations has been lagging behind its Asian neighbors in adopting and setting up security systems and effective security enforcement in all ports, terminals and facilities over land, air and water nationwide.

"We must bolster a system of coordination and cooperation, the transportation sector and law enforcement, public security and safety agencies and of course the citizenry. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. Similarly, I call on the public to help us in achieving a safe and sound transport environment," concluded Angara, author of the Philippine Transportation Security Act of 2007.