By Ariel Fernandez  The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) has commenced its cooperative security assessment of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with Australian security experts. (OFFICE OF TRANSPORTATION SECURITY / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) OTS Director for Transport Security Oversight and Compliance Service Gerardo Gambala welcomed the Australian representatives as he cited the country’s commitment to aviation security. Gambala said, “We have to stay vigilant by exacting security measures through our national transportation security program.” The assessment program of the Australian government aims to determine if foreign airports served by Australian aircraft operators and foreign air carriers with flights to Australia are safe. Gambala said they need to maintain and carry out adequate security measures in accordance with the Standards and Recommended Practices set forth in Annex 17 to the International Civil Aviation Organization. The assessment will look into critical areas of aviation security such as, but not limited to: passenger and baggage screening, access control, hold baggage security, vehicles access control, etc. The US and Australia, along with other partner countries, have been coordinating with Philippine airport authorities to seek its permission to conduct this regular activity on planned intervals, to continuously promote a secure and sound global aviation security by means of sharing best practices. Likewise, such activity also helps foreign countries to determine the need for technical assistance, as well as capacity and capability initiatives, to help the Philippines in fortifying its transport security posture. It may be recalled that the US TSA expressed satisfaction with the improved security measures and technology being implemented at the country's main gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). OTS Administrator Undersecretary Raul Del Rosario lauded the collaborative efforts of all the agencies involved during the recent US TSA assessment.