Solon seeks removal of DOTR, CAB, CAAP execs for aviation mess
CAGAYAN de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Friday urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. to remove all officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for allegedly failing to fulfill their mandates.
Rodriguez said Marcos should also fire officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) directly supervising these agencies.
“The ongoing air transportation or aviation mess is due to the failure of these agencies to faithfully and satisfactorily carry out their mandates. They are guilty of negligence for failing or refusing to sanction Cebu Pacific for its lousy service to the riding public,” Rodriguez said.
He said CAAP has failed to property maintain the operational and navigational system of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country’s main gateway.
“Proof of that is the recent glitches that exposed plane passengers to grave danger. This matter involves not only passenger safety but national security as well,” he added.
Rodriguez said the CAAP officials the President should replace are Manuel Antonio Tamayo, director general; Mark Nester Mendoza, corporate secretary; Danjun Lucas, deputy director general for administration; and Edgardo Diaz, deputy director general for operations.
He said CAB officials who should be fired include Carmelo Arcilla, executive director; and Porvenir Porciuncula, deputy executive director.
The Mindanao lawmaker said among CAAP’s mandates are to operate and maintain national airports, air navigation and similar facilities; and to determine, fix and/or prescribe charges and/or rates pertinent to the operation of public air utility facilities and services.
CAB’s principal responsibility is to regulate, promote and develop the economic aspect of civil aviation, he added.
He pointed out that DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista and his undersecretary for aviation and airports, Roberto Lim, are both former airline and air transportation association executives who served in the industry for many years.
“With their wealth of knowledge and experience, the public expects much from them. They should sort out this mess about delayed flights, cancelled flights, overbooking, and airport glitches. They should not wait for the President to order them to do so,” he said.
Earlier, Rodriguez called on Congress to suspend the legislative franchise of Cebu Pacific as punishment for its “lousy, terrible service.”
He said he would formalize his call through the filing of a resolution in the House of Representatives.
