MANILA, Philippines — The antiquated provisions of the Philippine Aeronautical Engineering Law need to be amended to enable the Philippines to meet the challenges of the global aviation industry, two congressmen said Thursday.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and his brother, Abante Mindanao Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr., sought the repeal of Presidential Decree 1570 or the Philippine Aeronautical Engineering Decree to make the law “more relevant, effective and responsive to the present times.” PD 1570 was issued on June 11, 1978.

"The fields of aeronautical science and civil aviation have grown quite tremendously, rendering existing laws governing these areas no longer adequate to enable these disciplines to meet the challenges of a globalized economy," the Rodriguezes said in filing House Bill 4124.

They said their measure seeks to strengthen the Professional Board of Aeronautical Engineering, whose task is to improve the quality of Filipino aeronautical engineers as well as the civil aviation industry.

"We hope to see excellent, qualitative, world-class and globally competitive aeronautical engineering and civil aviation fields through inviolable, honest, effective and credible licensure examinations and regulatory measures, programs and activities that foster their professional growth and development," they said.