Solons cold to 'open skies' policy

Manila Bulletin
By BEN R. ROSARIO
December 1, 2010, 7:53pm

MANILA, Philippines — Assured by government aeronautics agencies that the country already observes liberalized civil aviation regulation, key leaders of the House committee on transportation have suddenly gone cold to measures to adopt an “open skies” policy in the Philippines.

Reps. Ben Evardone (Lakas-Kampi, Eastern Samar), Rene Relampagos (LP, Bohol) and Magtanggol Gunigundo (Lakas-Kampi, Valenzuela) admitted they are not totally convinced an open skies policy is what the country needs to invigorate the tourism industry.

In Wednesday’s public hearing, Evardone and Relampagos entertained the idea of archiving House Bill 1352 and 3312 although both agreed later to give their authors, Reps. Rex Gatchalian (NPC, Valenzuela City) and Aurora Cerilles (NPC, Zamboanga del Sur), the opportunity to defend their proposals in the next hearing.

The positions taken by the solons were apparently triggered by statements issued by officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Civil Aeronautics Board during the hearing.

Lawyer Joseph Ray Gumabon of CAAP said “pocket open skies” will be rendered inutile unless the Philippines attains a Category 1 rating for its international aviation safety standards. At present the country is rated at Category 2.

Gumabon noted that a Category 2 status puts the country in the same standard level as many African nations.

The CAAP representative stressed that a holistic approach in aviation standards that would include internationally acceptable security and safety values must first be guaranteed before government opts for an open skies policy to fully liberalize the civil aviation industry.

CAB deputy executive director Porvenir Porciuncula told lawmakers that civil aeronautics is already under a liberalized status because global leaders in commercial aviation have free access to the country.

“Our air agreements already allow flights to most of the points outside Manila. The big markets, Japan, US, China, South Korea, they can operate in Cebu, Davao but what they are looking for is profitability,” said Porciuncula.

The CAB official stressed that the open skies policy should not be taken as a “cure all” to the government’s need to lure more travelers, particularly tourists, to the country.

“Kulang sa atin ay infrastructure and better marketing promotions. Peace and order and air safety is also important,” said Porciuncula.

Aquilino Zapanta of South East Asian Airlines and Socorro Gonzaga of the Philippine Airlines aired opposing positions on the issue.

Zapanta assured the Department of Justice that there are no constitutional infirmities in the bill when it comes to reciprocity.

“We don’t give or provide unilateral traffic rights to any airline into the Philipppines,” Zapanta said.

Gonzaga, PAL senior assistant vice president for external affairs, assured lawmakers that it would support an open skies policy but only if it is fair, reciprocal and would not unduly place local carriers at a disadvantage.

She said foreign carriers enjoy adequate access to Philippine skies, debunking claims there is lack of airline seats to accommodate tourists.

Gonzaga said the country needs more investments in infrastructure, a stable peace and order situation, and positive image abroad to attract tourists.