DOTC chief vows more aid to airline industry

The Department of Transportation and Communications will continue this year its consultations with representatives of transportation groups, including air and sea-based groups, on ways to alleviate problems besetting the industry.

Transportation Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez said his dialogues with different stakeholders in the transport sector have so far yielded modest assistance from government on how to keep the industry viable.

The airline industry is one of the most affected sector following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

The Arroyo administration has so far declared fee reductions for airline companies for arrival, parking and departure fees.

Alvarez said that aside from the fee reductions, the Arroyo administration has continued its rehabilitation program for alternate international airports in Cotabato, Davao, Clark and other southern gateways.

The airline industry players have reacted positively to the DOTC initiatives.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of the Philippines (AOPAP) said Alvarez’s program to assist local industry players were on the right track to "alleviate the dismal status" of the local aviation industry.

AOPAP president Capt. Geronimo A. Amurao said his group had provided a valuable input to the continuing assistance program initiated by Alvarez.

Alvarez, who had a series of consultations with small industry players, had pledged to provide adequate response to the problems of small stakeholders to provide "a level playing field" and spur healthy competition.

Amurao said his group appreciated the "laudable efforts" of Alvarez even as the AOPAP pledged their continued support for the DOTC chief’s leadership.

Region II Regional Development Council chairman Edgar R. Lara hailed and lauded Alvarez for what he called the healthy competition in land, sea and air transportation provided by the DOTC chief.

Lara said the successful operation of the northern gateway through the Laoag International Airport has provided economic respite for residents in the Ilocos provinces, Cagayan and Isabela.