Revilla hits CAAP for failure to restore Philippine aviation category

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. criticized yesterday officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for failing to restore the Philippines to Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) Category 1 despite the creation of the new agency that is supposed to implement reforms.

Revilla expressed his displeasure during the meeting of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (COCCAAP) at the Senate.

The Philippines is currently classified under FAA Category 2, which restricts flights from the country to the United States and prevents local carriers from increasing flights to the same country. 

“There are opportunities lost in terms of economic development through tourism because until now we’re still Category 2,” said Revilla, also chairman of the Senate committee on public services and co-chairman of the COCCAAP.

Revilla said that Republic Act 9497, the law creating the CAAP, was approved to help improve the country’s aviation industry.

The same law granted the CAAP fiscal autonomy and infused it with a starting budget of P50 billion.

In the hearing, Revilla also expressed concern over how the agency’s budget was being spent.

“A huge budget was allocated to you to solve the problem, but until now it is still the same. Where did the money go?” he added.

Revilla challenged the CAAP officials to get their act together.

“Congress has done its job, so it’s about time for the CAAP to get to Category 1. Anything less is unacceptable. Shape up or ship out,” he said.

In recent weeks, controversy erupted at the CAAP after Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus appointed new officials of the agency.

Alfonso Cusi is the general manager of CAAP. Cusi is an appointee of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

De Jesus announced in a special board meeting last Nov. 2 that he was implementing the desire letter of President Aquino regarding the appointment of seven officials of the CAAP.

There is massive concern raised by career officials at the CAAP regarding the appointment of Ramon Gutierrez as deputy director general for administration, Napoleon Garcia as deputy director general for operations, Wilfredo Borja as assistant director general III (Air Traffic Services), Andrew Basallote as assistant director II (Air Navigation Service), Edgardo Costes as assistant director general II (Aerodrome Development and Management Service), Wilson Mirabona, assistant director general I (Aerodrome Development and Management Service), and Andres Lauriall as assistant director general I (Civil Aviation Training Center).

De Jesus had allegedly railroaded the process when he proceeded with the appointments despite questions raised by some groups, an official said.

De Jesus has explained that he is merely implementing the desire letter of Aquino dated Oct. 5 this year for the appointment of the mentioned CAAP officers.

The President has expressed his consent to the appointments of the seven individuals through the “omnibus desire letter” signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. to De Jesus.

Among the concerns raised before the senator is that De Jesus might have gone against the existing provisions of Republic Act 9496 regarding the powers of the director general in appointing persons to key positions in the department.  

Certain sectors also expressed concern that the independence of the head of the CAAP “appears to have been undermined” when De Jesus appointed the seven individuals to the career positions, without going through the Civil Service Commission’s approved procedures.

Meanwhile, Alistair MacDonald, head of delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines, expressed apprehension that the country’s efforts to get back to FAA Category 1 status might be jeopardized if the current head of CAAP would not be able to continue the changes they have started since March 2010.  –With Rudy Santos