InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
The Philippines' Customs Commissioner paid a surprise visit on all three terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Tuesday, a day before an Asian Development Bank (ADB) meeting will open in Manila.
The surprise visit was meant to ensure that the all customs personnel at the NAIA will be courteous when dealing with more than 1,000 foreign delegates who will be attending the 45th ADB delegates Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) from May 2-5, 2012.
Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said that he went to NAIA to see to it that all preparations were in place for the ADB conference.
"We knew the high importance of leadership for this conference, para mapakita natin sa mga delegates na world class ang Pilipinas," Biazon said.
Biazon was toured and briefed by NAIA district collector lawyer Carlos So, Teresita Roque, collector for passengers services, Customs Police Chief Col. Marlon Alameda, and Manny Bobadilla, Customs operations and monitoring head.
The bureau will be requesting additional funds from the Department of Budget Management (DBM) to replace old Close Circuit Television (CCTV) and the X-ray machine currently used to scan luggage of people attempting to bring in illegal items. The bureau may also employ dogs in all terminals to counter the resurgence of drug couriers who are attempting to use NAIA as transit for their illegal activities.
