Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) imposed a "no-pocket" policy on baggage and cargo handlers and asked airlines to advise their plane cleaners to avoid wearing jewelry to ward off suspicion as they could occasionally find pieces of jewelry that have been lost.
The "no-pocket" rule is meant to improve security and prevent pilferage or theft of cargo by ground handling personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals.
MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal ordered a strict implementation of the policy among all employees assigned at the baggage breakdown and build-up areas effective immediately.
The policy of "pocket-less" airport personnel, is also being implemented in other countries "for security purposes," Monreal said.
In a recent inspection made under the guidance of Allen Capuyan, MIAA Assistant General Manager for Security, at least 20 employees of airline service providers were caught violating the policy, while some ramp staff were found to have manually stitched their uniform pockets for compliance purposes.
Meanwhile, Monreal is appealling to client airlines to consider implementing a no-jewelry policy to aircraft cleaners, as a parallel effort from their end.
“This will further promote the virtue of honesty as it will encourage aircraft cleaners to turn over valuable items, especially jewelry, that they find inside the aircraft while cleaning," Monreal said.
Monreal added that MIAA will be conducting random inspections at the baggage breakdown and build-up areas to penalize violators of the policy.
First offense will draw a warning; second offense will merit cancellation of access passes; and third offense will lead to termination.
Source: InterAksyon
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