Philippines Safety & Security Market

Security upgrades at airports, electronic video surveillance and access control systems for enhanced security create a robust safety and security market in the Philippines. U.S. firms have greater opportunity in projects that require high-end, advanced, and sophisticated technology such as providing airport security screening solutions where quality and long-term reliability are often prioritized over price.

China is the main supplier of CCTV systems and biometric solutions to include facial recognition. There are many successful deployments of equipment using Chinese technology in the Philippines. In November 2019, the Philippine Government launched Safe Philippines, a joint program with the Chinese Government that focuses on the use of technology to improve public safety. Unfortunately, U.S. firms struggle to compete with Chinese firms in this area due to huge price differences. The Chinese offer cheaper and sometime free products with carefully added long-term maintenance commitments.

Fire and Rescue
The Philippine Government is pushing for the modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the main agency responsible for preventing and suppressing fires. The target budget is 200 million annually starting 2020, and will be implemented in a 3-5 year period. The proposed modernization bill, currently pending in both the Philippine Senate will enhance the capability, material, and technology development of the BFP. Should the modernization program be enacted into law, there will be requirements for large capital equipment such as fire trucks, fire rescue boats, Hazmat vehicles, other highly specialized vehicles/aircraft rescue equipment, technologies and equipment for CBRNE, defense,training, and much more. The Japanese and Koreans dominate the fire truck and ambulance markets, but U.S. firms can be competitive in supplying unique rescue tools and equipment, technologies to fight CBRNE incidents, and other large capital equipment.

Airport/Border Security
There is considerable demand for equipment and technology for airport and border security. Airport upgrades and development projects are underway or being studied as part of the Duterte Administration’s “Build Build Build” Infrastructure Program. Airports, seaports, and rail transport need x-ray scanning machines and similar technologies, explosive detection systems, walk through portals, and the like.

The Office for Transportation Security (OT) acquired several units of computed tomography (CT) scanners in 2019 that were given to the Manila International Airport Authority and Palawan airport. CT scanners provide more detailed imaging and are much more expensive than ordinary x-ray equipment. It is expected that such purchases will continue.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is another important buyer and user of scanners for baggage and cargo/containerized shipments. The BOC procured several scanners in 2019 and also received donations from Russia and China for baggage screening. Even with such donations, the BOC will continue to acquire new cargo scanning equipment for distribution to major ports across the country.

The U.S. has an advantage in providing security screening equipment to the market, being known for its modern and high-end technology that sets industry standards and trends.U.S firms that wish to supply to the Philippine market should work with a reliable Philippine partner that has technical expertise and experience in government bidding, if pursuing public tenders.

For more information, please email Jeanne.Santiago@trade.gov