more bs
grandstanding & fingerpointing will not solve the problem. this solon is all bs. one reason why the phils is 3rd world.
RP hopes for FAA rating upgrade by yearend--solon
By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:25:00 01/16/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The government is hoping the United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) will upgrade its rating on the Philippines by the end of the year with reforms set to be implemented in record time, the chairman of the House Committee on transportation said Wednesday.
At the same time, Representative Monico Puentevella lamented how the Air Transportation Office (ATO) did not recognize the "seriousness of the problem" and failed to inform him of the FAA's requirements.
Puentevella said "heads rolled" at the ATO because of the oversight, even before the FAA downgraded its rating on Philippine airports from Category 2 to Category 1. The downgrade was due to the failure of the country's air terminals to meet certain security requirements.
The lawmaker said that in just three weeks, the House of Representatives passed on third reading a bill that would pave the way for the creation of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in place of the ATO. Unlike the ATO, the new body will have fiscal autonomy to enable it to generate more income.
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile said the Senate passed the House bill, also on third reading, before Congress went on Christmas break last December.
Puentevella told reporters in Malacañang that the bill could be signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo into law by February.
"As soon as the law is passed, hopefully by February -- it has been awaited by the FAA -- we will give fiscal autonomy to the new authority. They will upgrade their facilities. We will see the strengthening of flying schools. We will upgrade high-tech equipment in 85 national airports [and] lighting facilities, and stop the exodus of pilots and personnel," he said.
"Passing a bill in three weeks can be [entered into] in 'Ripley’s Believe It or Not.' This rarely happens. Lawmakers recognize the urgency [of passing the bill creating the CAA]," he said.
The FAA has designated a representative to check on the implementation of the new law in the Philippines, Puentevella said.
"As long as we get elevated to category 1 before Christmas…when all of this is in place, I think we'll be alright in the long run," he said.
Puentevella acknowledged that unless the FAA upgrades its rating on the country to Category 1, local airlines could not push through with their plans to expand routes in the US.
"We have to improve our systems. Our carriers will be affected temporarily. That's why we have to do a lot of homework," he said.