GMA urged not to sign ‘open skies’ accord

Organized labor, businessmen and civil society groups led by the Fair Trade Alliance (FTA) cautioned President Arroyo yesterday against signing an RP-US ‘open skies’ accord without first consulting affected sectors.

The FTA made the statement amid concerns that among the covenants to be presented by Washington for signing by President Arroyo is a declaration of an RP-US open skies regime. The President is currently on an eight-day official visit to the United States.

"In the past few days, open skies advocates have resumed their lobby efforts by making it appear that open skies — whether for passengers or cargo, is a fait accompli. It’s as if the Philippines has no other choice but to resign and accept this fate," the FTA stressed.

Suspecting such PR efforts as the handiwork of the Freedom to Fly Coalition and AGILE (Accelerated Growth, Investments and Liberalization with Equity), the FTA said the President should not allow herself to be misled by these vested interest groups.

"The FTA has stated time and again that any bilateral agreement must be considerate of the state of our country’s affected industries. An all-out, abrupt, and immediate open skies will only hurt the Philippine civil aviation industry," said FTA lead convenor and former Senator Wigberto Tañada.

Meanwhile, FTA co-convenor for NGOs Dr. Rene Ofreneo said that nations all over the world are now protective of their respective territories and air space because of the threat of terrorism and the outbreak of SARS.

"In a study done by Ateneo Professor Ofelia Templo, the Philippines should follow suit, not only because we need to protect local airlines and their allied industries, but more importantly to safeguard the health and security of Filipinos," he stressed.

The FTA added that the Philippines has already given so much to the US by openly supporting its war against Iraq. "Now is the time for President Arroyo to test whether the Philippines can really expect some real help from an old ally. We have given enough support at great risk to our own national security. It’s but fair that we get some form of payback instead of giving-in to US clamor for more lopsided policies like open skies," the FTA concluded.