Hawk eyes at the OTS

Teamwork is also crucial for the OTS family, as working together as one inspires, motivates, and generates trust and mutual understanding.

Often, travelers tend to get impatient when it comes to passing through security processes whenever entering transport facilities. Given the value of time, we have a habit of showing frustration when security personnel take too long to inspect our belongings, neglecting that they are simply ensuring our safety.

These people who swore an oath to serve and protect our lives are under the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), and they remain steadfast in keeping security in all our public transportation hubs all over the country.

As threats to national security have evolved over the years, our security programs and systems should also advance. And for the OTS, they just received one hardened military man ready to take the country’s transport security to international standards.

Meet Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario (ret.), the new administrator of the OTS. Before his appointment in September 2019, Del Rosario was the vice president for Airport Operations of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC).

While assigned at CIAC, Del Rosario was also tapped as the Department of Transportation (DoTr)-Transportation Security Administration (TSA) focal person, part of the support group mobilized to effect improvements in the security operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). In eight months, the Public Notice issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security was lifted in August 2019.

His long, decorated career in the military speaks for itself. Given his mild-mannered personality, at a glance, you would not even imagine that Undersecretary Del Rosario has 37 years of military experience, serving as Commander of the Western and Central Commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including several command positions under the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Right after his appointment at the OTS, Del Rosario immediately began to work. In a short amount of time, under his guidance, the OTS initiated the following initiatives: rallied the support of airline operators in enforcing the updated National Civil Aviation Security Program, worked on applying the best practices at NAIA to all airports nationwide, successfully heightened security protocols during Undas, and eased the policy on carriage of umbrellas in airports.

Just a few weeks ago, Del Rosario was invited by Secretary Arthur Tugade to speak in front of DoTr officials and employees during the monthly flag-raising ceremony.

Undersecretary Del Rosario went on to talk with grace, pledging his commitment to transform the OTS to the next level, inspired by the work ethic and leadership of Secretary Tugade.

Now, the watchful security administrator has formulated the “leadership and management philosophy,” a rallying cry for all officials and employees of the OTS, guided by the principles of Oneself, Teamwork, and Service.

For Oneself, Del Rosario values responsible, honest, well-disciplined, and pro-active employees. The need for “corporate gladiators,” a term he learned from Secretary Tugade, is crucial in the security and safety of the public.

Teamwork is also crucial for the OTS family, as working together as one inspires, motivates, and generates trust and mutual understanding. When there is teamwork, high morale produces an enthusiastic approach to daily tasks.

Finally, Service. For Del Rosario, mastery of one’s skills and aligning it to the team’s goals create a credible transportation regulatory institution that is on par with international standards. He imparts to his new family that service to God, country, and the Filipino people are top priorities.

Getting to know Del Rosario and his overall vision for the nation’s transport security gives you a reassuring feeling that the OTS will exemplify a strong, pro-active, and sustainable security culture across all transport sectors.

Under the watchful eyes of our new transport security administrator, our safety in all our public transportation hubs is well under care, thanks to our security personnel guided under Oneself, Teamwork and Service.