Noy lauds CAAP execs, says job not yet over

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino commended yesterday officers and employees of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for improving aviation safety standards.

Speaking at the CAAP’s fifth anniversary celebration, Aquino called on them to join government efforts and work doubly hard for the Philippines to get off the watch lists of the US and the European Union.

“While I am here to congratulate you for a job well done, and for celebrating your fifth anniversary, I would also like to remind you that the job is not yet over,” he said.

“In the coming days, weeks and months, all of us will be working towards getting our country off the watch lists of the United States and the European Union.”

Aquino lauded the CAAP’s efforts to comply with global safety standards: a Civil Aviation Safety Oversight Reporting and Tracking System, the Minimum Required Annual Inspection for all air operators.

The revalidation of the Air Operators Certificate of five international operators and several other air taxi operators and domestic air operators will help local carriers like Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific meet the standards of other countries and help them expand their routes, he added.

Aquino credited the programs of CAAP Director General William Hotchkiss III that allowed the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to lift the Significant Safety Concerns  previously issued on the Philippines.

“The fact that it is now more safe to fly in the Philippines is the effort of each person who works for this agency, and I extend my gratitude to all of you for your work,” he said.

“I also give you my marching orders: Let’s get this done. We have the momentum; we have the right people and have put the right systems in place. It is time for us to usher in a golden age not just for Philippine aviation - not just for Philippine tourism - but for our entire country.”