Iloilo airport security and safety

By Alex P. Vidal

“The way I see it, you can either work for a living or you can fly airplanes. Me, I’d rather fly.”— Len Morgan

EVEN if airplane passenger Roland Lañojan, 54, a resident of Tayong Sagay, Camiguin Province has survived and was reportedly in stable condition at the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) after being shot in the shoulder by police at the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo on the afternoon of January 28, the incident will definitely put a dent on the image of the airport.

We can’t blame some flight passengers to worry for their safety when they travel because of what happened.

The shooting occurred after Lañojan reportedly refused security inspection and airport authorities found he was carrying a bladed weapon, according to the initial investigation by the Office of Transportation Security (OTS).

The incident reportedly sent passengers scampering in different directions. It’s good no one was hit by a stray bullet or injured in the scuffle.

No city can afford to compromise the safety of passengers in the airports or any crowded public place where people depart and arrive from different destinations and origins.

Airports, in particular, must be safe places because they are critical infrastructure handling high-density crowds and serving as major, often targeted, transportation hubs.

Ensuring safety in the airports protects against terrorism, smuggling, and violent acts while preventing accidents, managing risks to passengers, and securing valuable, restricted areas.

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The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) made the right move to continue conducting an investigation and giving assurances that due process and accountability would be observed even if there was no casualty in the incident.

It has been a top priority when it comes to public safety and security for airports to prevent threats, such as terrorism and crime, in densely populated terminals including those located outside Metro Manila like Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, Silay.

They protect travelers from harm and secure restricted zones like runways and maintenance areas. Tight security also prevents the transport of illegal substances and smuggling.

Risk Management & Operational Efficiency:

Stringent security measures must be given emphasis in the risk management and operational efficincy, including AI-powered video surveillance and physical barriers, protect passengers, staff, and assets while ensuring smooth operations.

This explains why in the Aviation Safety Standards, Runway Safety Areas (RSAs) are critical for preventing accidents during takeoffs and landings.

As major travel hubs, airports rely on public trust; proper security, including trained personnel, ensures confidence for passengers.

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HEAL OURSELVES WITH TEA TREE. Tea tree oil is a great alternative to chemical healing ointments and balms. A natural antiseptic, it’s great in emergencies for cuts and grazes as well as for cleaning up after animals (for children) who have not been housetrained.

LET’S GET OUTSIDE. Instead of heading for the bright lights of the gym next time we work out, let’s take a step into the fresh air. Running, walking, and working out outdoors have little effect on the environment.

GET SOME FRESH AIR. Let us spend time in nature. Taking a walk, having a picnic, or simply sitting outside and watching the sky deepens our connection to the natural world, motivating us to be better stewards of the earth. I do this each time I visit Boracay Island in the Philippines and in my two other favorite places: Nagoya, Japan and Denver, Colorado.

CHEW IT UP. Let’s choose mastic-based gum for our chewing habit–normal gum takes years to biodegrade and can cause problems for wildlife because of its stickiness. Mastic gum is made from the resin of the Aegean mastic tree and is 100 percent natural. It is available in gum and capsule form from health food stores.

A WEIGHTY MATTER. Ten treadmills in the average gym use the same amount of electricity in a day that it would take to run our hairdryer non-stop for a year. Let’ stick to weights and non-electric machines like spinning bikes.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)