Facial Recognition E-Gates Coming Soon to NAIA
Traveling through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) might get a lot smoother in the coming months. In a recent visit to Terminal 3, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shared that the government is working to make airport procedures easier for everyone, especially for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). One big change on the way? Electronic gates that use facial recognition technology.
Instead of digging through bags for IDs or passports, travelers will soon just have to show their face to pass through. This system is expected to cut down long lines and make the entire airport experience faster and more convenient. The goal is to remove the usual hassle of security checks and paperwork, making things quicker at immigration and check-in points.
These high-tech e-gates are expected to be up and running in about six months, according to Ramon Ang, chairman of New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC). The best part? It won’t cost the government or the public anything. Ang also noted that they’re ready to provide whatever number of e-gates is needed, based on the recommendations of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed they’re still finalizing the rollout plan, but said Terminals 1 and 3 will be prioritized for the upgrades.
President Marcos also pointed out that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will soon issue a unified ID for OFWs. This ID will allow them to access airport lounges and services more easily, another move aimed at giving them a smoother journey.
During his visit, Marcos toured key areas inside NAIA, including immigration counters, OFW lounges, rest areas, and pick-up points. He explained that seeing things firsthand helps him understand what still needs fixing.
While the President praised some recent improvements, NAIA still has a long way to go. A 2024 study by Australian company Compare the Market ranked NAIA among the world’s worst airports, scoring low on efficiency, accessibility, and cleanliness. It fell far behind other Southeast Asian airports, like Singapore’s top-rated Changi and Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi.
Still, with plans like facial recognition gates and more efficient systems, officials are hopeful that NAIA is finally moving in the right direction.
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