The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) formally recognized the exemplary performance and unwavering integrity of its Security Screening Officers (SSOs) during the regular Flag Raising Ceremony held today. The recognition highlights the SSOs’ substantial contribution to national security and their vital role in supporting the economic agenda of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s administration.
Airport SSOs were presented with medals and certificates of commendation for their vigilance and successful interventions. These major interceptions included the incidental discovery and seizure of large quantities of illegal drugs and other prohibited items, actively preventing acts of unlawful interference and strengthening the security posture of the nation’s transportation hubs against terrorist threats.
The ceremony also celebrated the SSOs’ consistent honesty and integrity. Several officers were honored for returning substantial amounts of cash and high-value items that passengers had mistakenly left behind at security screening checkpoints, emphasizing the commitment of OTS personnel to ethical public service.
In his keynote address, OTS Administrator Undersecretary Gilberto DC Cruz underscored the necessity of collective action in fulfilling the agency’s mandate.
“In our daily work, whether in operations, administration, or support services, none of us succeeds alone. Every accomplishment of the OTS is the result of people working together, sharing strengths, and supporting each other toward a common goal,” Usec. Cruz stated. “Our commitment to public service becomes stronger when collaboration guides our actions. Let us also remember that challenges are best faced when approached as a team. By working together, we lessen the burden on one another and increase our collective capacity to serve the Filipino people with excellence.”
The management’s formal recognition reinforces the crucial support and appreciation accorded to the OTS frontliners, who continue to stand as the primary layer of defense for passengers and the public against acts of unlawful interference.
