ILOILO City — The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 has thrown its support behind the removal of the initial passenger screening at the Iloilo International Airport’s building entrance in Cabatuan, Iloilo, warning that having it there caused congestion, long queues, and a poor first impression on tourists as flight traffic continues to grow.
Regional Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez made the statement during a joint committee hearing of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on February 5, convened in aid of legislation following the January 28 knife and shooting incident at the airport.
“We do support that. First of all, the mandate of the Tourism (department) is to provide enabling environments, ease of access, and good tourist experience, and our airport plays a vital role because it is where the first and last impressions of the tourists happen,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez disclosed that as early as 2024, following Cebu Pacific’s announcement of additional domestic flights to and from Zamboanga, Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, Daraga, and Tacloban, DOT-6 already raised congestion concerns with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)–Iloilo and the Office for Transportation Security (OTS).
She said DOT-6 requested adjustments in the placement of the initial screening X-ray machines on the airport’s first floor, citing the expected surge in passenger volume.
The concern was further heightened by the pending resumption of international flights from Iloilo to Hong Kong and Singapore at that time.
On January 31, 2025, DOT-6 formally wrote about this to CAAP and OTS after observing long passenger lines at the terminal due to the initial screening process, even before the additional flights and international routes had resumed.
Among the specific requests of the DOT-6 was the transfer of X-ray and baggage scanners outside the departure area and the expansion of space allocated for departing passengers lining up for check-in.
Rodriguez warned that that reinstating the initial screening would only worsen congestion.
“It gives a negative experience to our tourists. Mahaba ang pila upon entering the airport, this was prior to the increase pa ng flights,” she said.
She noted that the airport now caters to nearly 40 flights daily, warning that the impact would be more pronounced should the initial screening be reinstated.
However, Rodriguez emphasized that DOT respects the authority and mandate of airport security agencies, including CAAP, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Philippine National Police–Aviation Security Group, and the OTS, as well as the third-party security provider engaged by CAAP-Iloilo./PN
