Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 311)
The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) is designated as the single authority responsible for the security of the transportation systems of the country.
The OTS covers civil aviation, sea transport and maritime infrastructure, and land transportation including rail systems and infrastructure.
The OTS ensures the implementation of Annex 17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the Standards and Recommended Practices on Security, the Security Manual for Safeguarding International Civil Aviation, and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP).
The OTS exercises operational control and supervision over all units of law enforcement agencies and agency personnel providing security services in transportation systems, except for motor vehicles in land transportation, jointly with the heads of the bureaus or agencies to which those units or personnel belong.
Key powers and functions include assuming NCASC functions, controlling law enforcement security units, responsibility for security operations including screening, formulating security plans and policies, auditing performance, preparing security manuals, prescribing security standards, issuing regulations, enlisting assistance from government agencies, coordinating investigations, and other functions as directed by the Secretary of DOTC.
The NCASC acts as an advisory and consultative body to the Secretary of the DOTC on civil aviation security matters. It was transferred to the DOTC and reconstituted with members from various relevant agencies. The OTS serves as its Secretariat.
The NCASC includes the Secretary of DOTC as Chairman, Secretary of DILG as Vice-Chairman, undersecretary of OTS, assistant secretary of the Air Transportation Office, general managers and managers of international airports, directors of Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, commissioners of Customs and Immigration, and representatives from agencies such as Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Department of Tourism, National Bureau of Investigation, intelligence services, Bureau of Fire Protection, and others.
The Secretary of DOTC has the power to create other security committees composed of concerned government agencies and stakeholders to assist in the formulation, development, and implementation of national security programs for sea transport, maritime infrastructure, land transportation, rail systems, and infrastructure.
The initial operating funds are chargeable against funds recommended by the Department of Budget and Management, and subsequent appropriations for OTS are included in the DOTC's budget proposals.
Executive Order No. 277 is modified accordingly by EO No. 311. All orders, rules, regulations, and issuances inconsistent with EO No. 311 are repealed or modified accordingly.
Executive Order No. 311 took effect immediately upon its signing on April 26, 2004.
The OTS is responsible for transportation security operations including security screening of passengers, baggage, and cargoes, as well as hiring, retention, training, and testing of security screening personnel.
The OTS must formulate, develop, promulgate, and implement comprehensive security plans, policies, strategies, and programs for transportation security and continually review, assess, and upgrade these plans to improve security.