PH, US firm to pilot test biometrics in select airports

US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago witnessed the signing of the agreement between the Philippines’ Department of Transportation and UltraPass ID. (Photo by Lisbet K. Esmael)

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed a deal with a US-based company to study the integration of a biometric system in select air hubs in the Philippines, a move that could streamline passenger processing.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and UltraPass ID chief executive officer Eric Starr inked the memorandum of agreement on Wednesday during the visit of US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago in Manila.

According to Bautista, the pilot test would be done in two phases: the first covering Filipino passengers using their national ID, while the second would focus on foreign passengers using e-passports when traveling locally.

It would initially cover the Iloilo airport in the first quarter, with the pilot test running for three months.

READ: DOTr, UltraPass to pilot-test new biometric system in PH airports

The transportation chief said the implementation would then be expanded to other airports.

“The biometric system provides not only convenient passenger processing but also enhances security protocols. Embedded biometric data in passports will allow passengers to breeze through check-in, security and boarding gates,” he told reporters in a briefing.

Bautista said many countries have long equipped their airports with this technology, and that the Philippines should follow suit.

“This should spur us to discover and adapt other aviation enhancements and innovations. This is part of the Department’s goal to transform the transport sector by tapping the latest technology to benefit the most Filipino travelers in air, road, water, and rail,” he said.

Meanwhile, Starr was optimistic about this project with the local government, noting that his company’s technology has “integrated seamlessly with the Philippine National ID System.

“Through the pilot, we will showcase how digital identity verification can reduce processing time, improve security, and create a touchless, efficient airport experience,” Starr said.