Manila Bulletin
House panel seeks extension of Congressional Oversight Committee on CAAP for another five years
House panel seeks extension of Congressional Oversight Committee on CAAP for another five years
House panel seeks extension of Congressional Oversight Committee on CAAP for another five years
Published Sep 14, 2019 07:50 pm
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The chairman of the House Committee on Transportation is proposing the extension of the life of the six-man Congressional Oversight Committee on Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (COCCAAP) for another five years beginning September 2019 to September 2024.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento filed House Joint Resolution No. 14, citing the need for the congressional oversight panel to continue its mandate, as provided for in Section 91 of Republic Act No. 9497 – the law that created the CAAP.
“In order to maintain the momentum of work initiated by the COCCAAP and avoid an unwarranted interruption which may result in loss of data and incongruity in the results of the studies/investigation already commenced, the committee must continue to function in accordance with its mandate set forth in Section 91 of Republic Act No. 9497,” he said in filing HJR No. 14.
“There is an essential need for COCCAAP to effectively accomplish its mandated tasks and lay down the foundation and structure for the future of our civil aviation,” he added.
Under RA 9497, the congressional oversight panel shall exist for a period of five years beginning on March 4, 2008, and thereafter, its oversight functions shall be exercised by the Senate Committee on Public Services and the House Committee on Transportation, acting separately.
The COCCAAP is mandated to monitor and ensure the proper implementation of RA 9497, review the collection performance of the CAAP and its program implementation.
Sarmiento noted that during the 15th Congress, House Joint Resolution No. 35 was filed to extend the existence of COCCAAP for five years, from March 2013 to March 2018.
“COCCAAP will work hand-in-hand with CAAP to address the downgrading of the Philippines' aviation status from Category 1 to Category 2 by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the blacklisting of the European Union, as well as to solve the Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) raised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” he said.
“Considering the very dynamic, broad and ever-changing nature of civil aviation industry, the members of the oversight committee contended that the term of five years is not sufficient to fulfill its mandate and objectives effusively, not to mention the economic impact of the aviation industry to the Philippine economy,” he stressed.
Under HJR 14, the COCCAAP is tasked to submit periodic reports of its findings and make recommendations on actions to be taken by the CAAP.
It provides that Congress shall make an appropriate budgetary appropriation to fund the extension of COCCAAP's life.
Sitting at the panel are the chairmen of the Senate Committee on Public Services and the House Committee on Transportation and four additional members from each chamber to be designated by the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento filed House Joint Resolution No. 14, citing the need for the congressional oversight panel to continue its mandate, as provided for in Section 91 of Republic Act No. 9497 – the law that created the CAAP.
“In order to maintain the momentum of work initiated by the COCCAAP and avoid an unwarranted interruption which may result in loss of data and incongruity in the results of the studies/investigation already commenced, the committee must continue to function in accordance with its mandate set forth in Section 91 of Republic Act No. 9497,” he said in filing HJR No. 14.
“There is an essential need for COCCAAP to effectively accomplish its mandated tasks and lay down the foundation and structure for the future of our civil aviation,” he added.
Under RA 9497, the congressional oversight panel shall exist for a period of five years beginning on March 4, 2008, and thereafter, its oversight functions shall be exercised by the Senate Committee on Public Services and the House Committee on Transportation, acting separately.
The COCCAAP is mandated to monitor and ensure the proper implementation of RA 9497, review the collection performance of the CAAP and its program implementation.
Sarmiento noted that during the 15th Congress, House Joint Resolution No. 35 was filed to extend the existence of COCCAAP for five years, from March 2013 to March 2018.
“COCCAAP will work hand-in-hand with CAAP to address the downgrading of the Philippines' aviation status from Category 1 to Category 2 by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the blacklisting of the European Union, as well as to solve the Significant Safety Concerns (SSC) raised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” he said.
“Considering the very dynamic, broad and ever-changing nature of civil aviation industry, the members of the oversight committee contended that the term of five years is not sufficient to fulfill its mandate and objectives effusively, not to mention the economic impact of the aviation industry to the Philippine economy,” he stressed.
Under HJR 14, the COCCAAP is tasked to submit periodic reports of its findings and make recommendations on actions to be taken by the CAAP.
It provides that Congress shall make an appropriate budgetary appropriation to fund the extension of COCCAAP's life.
Sitting at the panel are the chairmen of the Senate Committee on Public Services and the House Committee on Transportation and four additional members from each chamber to be designated by the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.