THE GOVERNMENT and private sector need to agree on a plan to open up international and domestic air travel once more, an industry official said Monday.
“We have been calling on the government (and private sector) to work together towards a roadmap to restart international and domestic aviation,” International Air Transport Association Country Manager Samuel S. David said at an online forum organized by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc.
“We have to start talking about the time when aviation will restart, when we can once again lower our borders,” he noted.
“It took just one night to shut down aviation. It does not take the same amount of time to restart it. It takes a while. We do need a roadmap to restart this industry,” Mr. David said.
House Transportation Committee Chairman and Samar Rep. Edgar Mary S. Sarmiento said at the forum: “It’s a collective effort… (between) the government and the private sector.”
“Once we have the opportunity again, there should be a roadmap on how to address (reopening). I am with you guys. I am hoping that we can see this opportunity…” he added.
Mr. Sarmiento has filed House Bill No. 8700 that seeks to strengthen the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
The bill intends to amend Republic Act 9497 or the Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2008.
Among the amendments sought are: extension of the director general’s term from four years to seven in order to insulate the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) leadership from changes in National Government, expansion of the board to nine members from seven to include the secretaries of Tourism and Defense in order to enhance tourism and security, and exemption of CAAP personnel from the requirements of the Career Executive Service to allow the agency to more easily hire workers in accordance with international standards.
Two more bills seeking to reform the aviation sector are the proposed Philippine Transportation Safety Board Act, which is now under review by the House Management Committee, and the proposed Philippine Airports Authority Act, which has been passed at the House committee level. — Arjay L. Balinbin