Phl joins ICAO general assembly

MANILA, Philippines - Months after the lifting of the Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) in the local aviation industry, the Philippines joins the ongoing 38th general assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Canada.

The Philippine embassy in Ottawa said the gathering started on Sept. 24 in Montreal with over 2,000 participants.

The ICAO event, which runs until today, tackles greenhouse gas emissions and improvement of passenger safety in line with the organization’s “Vision 2020.”

The Philippine delegation is led by Ambassador Leslie Gatan, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general William Hotchkiss III, members of the Civil Aeronautics Board, representatives from the Office of Transportation Security, and ministers Neil Ferrer and Eric Tamayo, the embassy’s outgoing and incoming ICAO representatives, respectively.

ICAO Secretary General Raymond Benjamin expressed optimism that a global accord on safety and greenhouse emission would be achieved in this year’s assembly.

Collaboration between the Philippine Mission to ICAO based in Ottawa and the CAAP over the past years has resulted in improvements related to increased engagements with the ICAO. The country is a pioneer signatory to the ICAO Convention.

Closer interaction with the ICAO has enhanced the Philippine standing and compliance with international standards, which have led to safer and more secure air access for the general public.

In July, the European Union removed the country from its blacklist, allowing flag-carrier Philippine Airlines to fly back to Europe.

The Philippines is currently taking steps to regain Category 1 status from the US Federal Aviation Administration.