PHILIPPINES CIVAIR SAFETY: ON THE FAST TRACK

UNCLAS MANILA 003918 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EAP/MTS AND EEB/TRA/AN FAA FOR API-1/AFS-50/AGC-7 SINGAPORE FOR FAA REP TOKYO FOR FAA CARL STROMBOM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ECON RP SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES CIVAIR SAFETY: ON THE FAST TRACK REF: STATE 149143 ¶1. Summary: The newly appointed Executive Director of the Air Transportation Office told us that the government will attempt to resolve all FAA safety concerns within three months, in order to bring the Philippines back to Category 1 as soon as possible. On November 28, the Philippine House of Representatives took the first step in response to the expected FAA downgrade by passing legislation to create an independent civil aviation agency. The bill that passed, which has been certified as "urgent" by the administration, is based on ICAO model legislation and resolves problems identified by the FAA in present and previously proposed legislation. It is expected to pass the Senate early next year. End Summary. ¶2. On December 6, EconCouns met with Daniel Dimagiba of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) and his staff to discuss an action plan to correct civil aviation safety deficiencies and bring the Philippines back to Category 1 status. Dimagiba had been promoted to Acting Assistant Secretary and was energetic and enthusiastic. He told us the ATO has brought in four new consultants from the International Civil Aviation Organization to provide expertise in areas of airworthiness and flight operations. ¶3. Dimagiba reported that legislation to establish a new, independent, and self-funding Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines had passed the House of Representatives in record time. Once this legislation is passed by the Senate the CAAP will absorb ATO and will be financially self-sufficient and have all the necessary authority to effectively regulate the safety of Philippine airlines. ¶4. According to Dimagiba, ATO plans to work closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It is currently working out plans for reforms and then intends to ask for FAA technical support where necessary. Dimagiba asked that Senior FAA Representative Carl Strombom visit Manila in early January to review plans. He said he is also considering traveling to Washington to present plans and request assistance. ¶5. EconCouns met with Senior Deputy Executive Secretary of the Office of the President of the Philippines Joaquin Lagonera on December 10 to discuss the progress of the civil aviation legislation. Lagonera, who is responsible for liaison with the Philippine Congress on legislation, said the President has certified this legislation as urgent. He had discussed it with the relevant senate committee chairman that morning and the committee would meet on December 13 to begin its progress through the senate. Lagonera said he expected passage in early January. ¶6. Comment: Even before the announcement of the downgrade by FAA the Philippine government has made fixing its civil aviation safety regulation problems a key priority. Dimagiba's goal of three months is very ambitious, and may be impossible to reach. Nonetheless, progress thus far is encouraging. We will continue to meet with legislators, executive branch officials and industry to keep the pressure on and the consensus together. Kenney