The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) successfully participated in the Philippine Air Cargo Day on Friday, November 14, 2025, reaffirming its vital role as the nation’s first line of defense against threats in air transportation. The agency highlighted its non-negotiable mandate to ensure the safety and security of the air cargo supply chain, particularly in the detection and interception of prohibited and undeclared dangerous goods (DG).
The event, a critical platform for industry stakeholders to address evolving security challenges, featured a compelling keynote address by OTS Administrator Undersecretary Gilberto Cruz. He stressed the agency’s primary responsibility to guarantee the security and integrity of all air shipments.
“Our mandate is clear: to verify the security of every shipment,” said Undersecretary Cruz. “While shippers are responsible for the proper declaration and packaging of Dangerous Goods, the OTS plays the ultimate security role. Our duty is to ensure that even items wrongly classified or intentionally concealed are intercepted before they become an airborne threat.”
Further enriching the discussions, OTS Training Specialist Ms. Bernalyn Sison delivered a detailed technical presentation. Ms. Sison provided an overview of the proper identification, handling, and security screening protocols for Dangerous Goods. Her session focused on the ongoing challenges and future initiatives of the OTS, emphasizing the crucial need for sustained collaboration with industry partners.
The OTS’s active participation in the Philippine Air Cargo Day underscores its unwavering commitment to strengthening security standards, fostering a culture of vigilance, and maintaining the Philippines’ compliance with international aviation security standards and recommended practices.
