The Philippines’ airports could just be the ideal place for lovers seeking a private moment as a result of too many blind spots because of the lack of CCTV cameras, an official said Tuesday.
Senator Grace Poe briefly turned an exasperating situation into a hilarious scene with her remark over the absence of surveillance cameras in some areas in the country’s main gateway.
“I think if you’re looking for a place to go, you can go to the airport. You can go on a date there and you won’t be seen,” Poe said in jest.
During her interpellation of Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito shortly after midnight during the marathon debates on the national budget, Poe inquired about the number of CCTVs in the airports.
“Are we complete now with our CCTV cameras in NAIA and in our major airports? Hindi ba may napatay na mayor na matagal na?” Poe said.
She was referring to the case of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur Mayor Ukol Talumpa who was killed at the arrival area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in December 2013. His wife and two others were also shot dead.
Ejercito, who defended the agency’s budget, said NAIA General Manager Ed Monreal reported that the bidding for the CCTV project was “already completed,” and the “post-qualification” process was ongoing. He said airport officials were hoping the process would be completed by January 2019.
Poe and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri were dismayed with the reason given by the NAIA management.
“Bakit ang tagal, tatlong taon na [ang nakalipas]? Bakit ngayon lang magkakaroon?” Poe asked.
Stressing the importance of CCTVs, Poe said the cameras would also serve as extra protection to passengers, including Filipino workers. It would deter baggage theft, more so if they were strategically placed on baggage routes from the plane to the carousel.
Poe said NAIA’s 24-hour camera monitoring should likewise cover taxi bays “so that if an OFW would complain that he’s being charged a high rate, there is proof of wrongdoing.”
Ejercito said there had been failures of bidding for the past eight years and a losing bidder sought a temporary restraining order from a local court, which prevented the MIAA from procuring CCTVs.
“So it’s really crazy,” he said.
