by RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
MANILA - Even during the season of repentance and forgiveness, there is no let up in President Benigno Aquino III’s criticisms against his predecessor, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In his remarks during the 5th anniversary of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Aquino attacked Arroyo anew, this time for the airline industry's woes.
He said that during the time of Arroyo, the Philippines was unable to tap prime tourist destinations, Europe and the United States. He recalled that Arroyo's leadership "prioritized self-interest over public service."
Aquino also pointed out that the CAAP was born after "the Philippines was downgraded from Category 1 to Category 2 by the United States Federal Aviation Administration-preventing our airlines from expanding their flights to and from the United States."
He said that the airline industry's woes worsened because of a "culture of governance which lent itself to impunity.”
In October of 2009, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) conducted an audit of the country’s aviation standards and found significant safety concerns.
Promptly, in March of 2010, the European Union banned all Philippine aircraft from flying into their countries, citing "serious and persistent non-compliance of Philippine civil aviation authorities in overseeing and checking of aircraft."
Setbacks
Aquino believes that the country suffered setbacks and losses that cannot be quantified. "Until now, we can only speculate about how many tourists could have arrived, how many jobs could have been created, and how our airlines could have grown, if only our predecessor displayed a little urgency, efficiency, and at least a bare minimum regard for rendering public service.”
He said those were the years of “squandered opportunity.”
Aquino pointed out though that this soon will change, saying his reforms are expected to bear fruit.
Under his term, CAAP installed the Civil Aviation Safety Oversight Reporting and Tracking System as its main database management system. It also implemented the Minimum Required Annual Inspection for all air operators, and revalidated the Air Operators Certificate of five international operators and several other air taxi operators and domestic air operators.
It also established the Certificate Management Department to help local carriers, such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, to meet the standards of other countries and help them expand their routes.
He said these led to the ICAO's lifting of the Significant Safety Concerns previously issued to the Philippines.
He said the government will be working towards getting the country off the watch lists of the United States and the European Union so that local airlines can fly to these destinations again.
MANILA - Even during the season of repentance and forgiveness, there is no let up in President Benigno Aquino III’s criticisms against his predecessor, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In his remarks during the 5th anniversary of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Aquino attacked Arroyo anew, this time for the airline industry's woes.
He said that during the time of Arroyo, the Philippines was unable to tap prime tourist destinations, Europe and the United States. He recalled that Arroyo's leadership "prioritized self-interest over public service."
Aquino also pointed out that the CAAP was born after "the Philippines was downgraded from Category 1 to Category 2 by the United States Federal Aviation Administration-preventing our airlines from expanding their flights to and from the United States."
He said that the airline industry's woes worsened because of a "culture of governance which lent itself to impunity.”
In October of 2009, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) conducted an audit of the country’s aviation standards and found significant safety concerns.
Promptly, in March of 2010, the European Union banned all Philippine aircraft from flying into their countries, citing "serious and persistent non-compliance of Philippine civil aviation authorities in overseeing and checking of aircraft."
Setbacks
Aquino believes that the country suffered setbacks and losses that cannot be quantified. "Until now, we can only speculate about how many tourists could have arrived, how many jobs could have been created, and how our airlines could have grown, if only our predecessor displayed a little urgency, efficiency, and at least a bare minimum regard for rendering public service.”
He said those were the years of “squandered opportunity.”
Aquino pointed out though that this soon will change, saying his reforms are expected to bear fruit.
Under his term, CAAP installed the Civil Aviation Safety Oversight Reporting and Tracking System as its main database management system. It also implemented the Minimum Required Annual Inspection for all air operators, and revalidated the Air Operators Certificate of five international operators and several other air taxi operators and domestic air operators.
It also established the Certificate Management Department to help local carriers, such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, to meet the standards of other countries and help them expand their routes.
He said these led to the ICAO's lifting of the Significant Safety Concerns previously issued to the Philippines.
He said the government will be working towards getting the country off the watch lists of the United States and the European Union so that local airlines can fly to these destinations again.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/03/25/13/pnoy-says-aviation-woes-be-blamed-arroyo
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