OTS to roll out workshop in Cebu for stakeholders

• Source: https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1012979
• Tuesday, September 25, 2018

By Juju M. Empuerto (jsme/PIA-7/Cebu)

CEBU CITY, September 25 (PIA) --- The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) in partnership with the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) will hold a five-day Maritime Security Pilot Program and certification activities for maritime stakeholders at Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino, this city, from Sept. 24-28, 2018.

The activity aims to bring the OTS' services closer to the stakeholders in the Visayas region, said OTS Information Officer Jonathan Maliwat.

This shall take place alongside the formal introduction of OTS-accredited Registered Security Organizations (RSOs) and certified maritime security auditors, he added.

“RSOs are accredited organizations delegated with maritime security duties to assist the OTS in implementing standard security measures to coastwise ships, port facilities and shipyards," said Maliwat.

It shall provide accessibility to those based in Cebu, but also is expected to ensure that maritime security personnel or staff performing security duties must possess the necessary competencies through a certification process.

Maliwat said the program will include workshop activities for Port Facility Security Officers (PFSO) and subsequent issuance of Certificate of Competency, on the Development of Port Facility Security Assessment and Port Facility Security Plan and the subsequent issuance of Statement of Compliance for Port Facilities, and the formal introduction of OTS-accredited Registry Security Organizations and certified maritime security auditors.

“We have to be able to provide the riding public with an alternative mode of transportation that is safe, secured and reliable. To do so, we must establish performance standards that satisfy our international obligations,” he said.