The city council Friday unanimously passed a resolution commending the Tagbilaran City PNP Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup) after it was cited as the “Best Airport Station” by the national headquarters last Dec. 16, 2011. The resolution was authored by Councilor Doni Piquero. Piquero noted that the Avesgroup is responsible for securing all the country’s airports against offensive and terroristic acts that threaten civil aviation. It also exercises operational control and supervision over all Department of Interior and Local Government agencies in airport security operations as well as enforcing all laws and regulations relative to air travel protection and safety to all domestic airports in the country.

The PNP-Avsegroup national headquarters is also an award-giving body which recognizes outstanding aviation security groups among all stations in the country. Piquero said the Tagbilaran City PNP Avsegroup was awarded as the “best airport station” among all stations in the country. In its citation, the PNP-Avsegroup recognized the “diligence, discipline and excellence” of the city’s personnel with regards to the performance of their duties and functions in maintaining airport security in Tagbilaran. Piquero said the award has brought honor and distinct glory not only to the Tagbilaran City PNP but to the entire city as well in terms of good governance and administrative supervision.

The Tagbilaran Avsegroup is headed by Senior Insp. Nora de la Cruz Paat. In her report submitted to Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim, Paat noted that the accomplishments of the Tagbilaran station might not be recognizable and even scrutinized locally but was highlighted nationally. She noted that the Avsegroup personnel attend to their responsibilities and duties to ensure public safety and security of the airport facilities and their complexes as well as good police community relationship with the airport authorities, airline employees and the public most especially the air travelers. Lim noted that this responsibility includes assurance of a safe, economic and efficient air travel to both local and foreign clients based on the Standards and Recommended Practices of the airport security program.

Apat acknowledged that sometimes, airport security personnel are branded as “too strict” but she hastened to add that they took this with humility since they cannot sacrifice the safety and security of the riding public and the government facility. Lim said that this accomplishment firms up the observations of Pres. Benigno Simeon Aquino III that the Tagbilaran airport deserves a second look as opposed to the position of other officials who want to push through with the proposed Panglao airport at the expense of Tagbilaran.