‘DAD’ to help curb baggage theft in NAIA

FILE: Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — The Duterte Action Desk or DAD could help address luggage pilferage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other major airports in the country, a senator said Thursday.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto made this suggestion stressing that setting up a desk that “will carry the presidential seal” will hopefully prevent baggage theft in NAIA.

He cited the recent case of a Clark airport inbound passenger whose bags were totally emptied of their contents by private ground handling employees who have since been charged in court.

“Eh di ba, ang uso ngayon isumbong kay Tatay Digong? Kung ganoon, maglagay na doon sa mga paliparan ng DAD-Duterte Action Desk, para lahat ng reklamo ora mismo maaksyunan (Isn’t it a fad now to raise complaints to Tatay Digong? If that’s the case, we should put a DAD in airports),” Recto said.

Recto added that the “DAD” will not just be a complaint center, it can also receive commendations for good service rendered.

He said airport managers could use the quick response by Clark airport authorities as a template that must be followed.

Moreover, Recto also said that investments that would increase transparency in baggage handling, like CCTVS were also needed.

“For those flying in from abroad who have lost their belongings, we don’t know if the stealing was done here or outside the country. But at the very least, there should be a help desk that victims can go to,” Recto said.

The senator pointed out that airport managers should give as much attention to pickpockets as much as they give to terrorists and hijackers. (PNA)