2 groups heed call to protect RP skies

The Save Our Skies (SOS) movement’s advocacy to protect Philippine skies and promote fair trade got a big boost after two major organizations from the brokering and travel sectors joined the movement recently.

First to join SOS was the Professional Customs Brokers Association of the Philippines Inc. under chairman Honorato ‘Atoy’ Colico during a recent dialogue sponsored by SOS.

SOS has taken the cudgels for cargo forwarders and brokers in their campaign against the alleged unjust collection of fees by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

SOS also welcomed into its fold the Manila-Japanese Travel Agents and Hoteliers Association (MJTAHA). The MJTAHA and the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS), principal members of SOS, signed a memorandum of agreement to formalize an alliance.

The other members of SOS are the Philippine Travel Operators Association (Philtoa), Cargo Forwarders Association of the Philippines, and Air Safety Foundation, Inc.

Robert Lim Joseph, SOS president and NAITAS chairman, said SOS will continue to push for the advancement of the travel and tourism industry, and strengthening of local airlines.

SOS has been at the forefront of private sector efforts to promote and protect the tourism and airline industries and one of its advocacies includes pushing for fair skies and fair trade.

Joseph said a strong local airline industry will redound to the benefit of travel and tour operators, cargo forwarders and other tourism — and airline-related businesses.

He believes that a weakened airline industry would eventually affect travel and tour groups as well as businesses dependent on the industry, particularly the micro and informal sector.

He said the NAITAS-MJTAHA alliance will focus on uplifting the members’ capability and competence to develop business opportunities, with Philippine tourism as its main area of development and marketing.

The Japanese market, Joseph said, is one of the biggest sources of tourists to the country and is a big revenue contributor to the economy.