Office for Transportation Security - Department of Transportation, Philippines

Mandate

Designating the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) as the single authority responsible for the security of the transportation systems of the Philippines, including but not limited to:

1. CIVIL AVIATION (by ensuring that annex 17 to the convention on international civil aviation and the national civil aviation security programmed (NCASP) are implemented);
2. SEA TRANSPORT  & MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE ( by ensuring that the ISPS code is implemented and that a national security program for sea transport and maritime infrastructure is formulated, developed & implemented);
3. LAND TRANSPORTATION, RAIL SYSTEM & INFRASTRUCTURE (by ensuring that a national security program for land transportation, rail system & infrastructure is formulated, developed and implemented);

Mission

We are a national government agency that ensures the secure travel of people and goods on air, sea, and land by developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation security policies and programs compliant with relevant international standards.

Vision

To be a credible transportation security regulatory institution at par with its international counterparts.

Powers and Functions

• Assume the functions of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) enumerated in Section 4 of Executive Order 277 dated January 30, 2004 as well as all other powers and functions of the NCASC subject, however, to Section 3 of this Executive Order;
• Exercise operational control and supervision over all units of law enforcement agencies and agency personnel providing security services in the transportation systems, except for motor vehicles in land transportation, jointly with the heads of the bureaus or agencies to which the units or personnel organically belong or are assigned;
• Exercise responsibility for transportation security operations including, but not limited to, security screening of passengers, baggage and cargoes, and hiring, retention, training and testing of security screening personnel;
• In coordination with the appropriate agencies and/or instrumentalities of the government, formulate, develop, promulgate and implement comprehensive security plans, policies, measures, strategies and programs to ably and decisively deal with any threat to the security of transportation system, and continually review, assess and upgrade such security plans, policies, measures, strategies and programs, to improve and enhance transportation security and ensure the adequacy of these security measures;
• Examine and audit the performance of transportation security personnel, equipment and facilities, and thereafter, establish, on a continuing basis, performance standards for such personnel equipment and facilities, including for the training of personnel;
• Prepare a security manual/master plan or programme which shall prescribe the rules and regulations for the efficient and safe operation of all transportation systems, including standards for security screening procedures, prior screening or profiling of individuals for the issuance if security access passes, and determination of levels of security clearances for personnel of the OTS, the DOTC and OTS attached agencies, and other agencies of the government;
• Prescribe security and safety standards for all transportation systems in accordance with existing laws, rules, regulations and international conventions;
• Subject to the approval of the Secretary of the DOTC, issues Transportation Security Regulations/Rules and amend rescind or revise such regulations or rules as may be necessary for the security of the transportations systems of the country;
• Enlist the assistance of any department, bureau, office, instrumentality, or government-owned or controlled corporation, to carry out its functions and mandate including but not limited to the use of their respective personnel, facilities and resources;
• Actively coordinate with law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of any illegal act or unlawful interference committed at or directed to any public transportation system;
• Perform such other functions necessary to effectively carry out the provisions of EO311 or may be directed by the Secretary of the DOTC.