On September 9, the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) signed a deal with New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) to support the upgrade of security screening at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). USTDA Deputy Director Thomas Hardy announced this during the first Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) Investment Forum. Under the agreement, USTDA will provide funding for technical assistance so NNIC can study and develop better screening systems at the airport. USTDA will also assist NNIC to identify US companies manufacturing advanced screening equipment.
The goal is to improve the safety and efficiency of passenger screening and to standardize international rules for aviation safety. That matters because NAIA is often the last airport passengers go through before flying to the US. “By collaborating to modernize security at NAIA, we are protecting travelers on both sides of the Pacific,” Hardy said. He said the project also bolsters ties with an important ally and promotes a safe and open Indo-Pacific region, while the threats are stopped early.
“We will learn from the US know-how and the support will help us study how to improve and standardize screening across the airport,” NNIC president Ramon Ang said. He said NNIC is looking forward to working with USTDA to find the best systems to suit NAIA’s needs and growing passenger numbers.
NAIA is in the midst of being upgraded to handle 62 million passengers a year by 2028. Last year, the airport handled 52 million passengers, far exceeding its original capacity of 35 million.
Aside from the NAIA deal, USTDA signed two more agreements to support the Luzon Economic Corridor. One will help expand the Subic Drydock Berth and the other will help build a nationwide network of free public WiFi. “We are proud to partner together to transform our shared priorities into economic growth and long-term economic prosperity for our partners in the Philippines,” Hardy said.
In a separate event, Finance Secretary Frederick Go and US Ambassador Lee Lipton signed a $60-million grant agreement under the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) Threshold Program. This grant will help the Philippines qualify for a larger MCC Compact grant in the future, which supports major development projects and policy reforms.
The new grant will support reforms under the Energy Development Governance Efficiency (EDGE) Project to build a more reliable and efficient energy system. This includes simplifying the process for energy projects to get government permits and approvals, and helping electric cooperatives improve service by upgrading the power grid and getting better access to financing.
