INTRODUCTION
Sixty-three years ago all that we had flying our skies were a modest number of planes, mostly undertaking military, mail and cargo flights.

Mindful of aviation’s potentials, our past administrators established the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) — ATO’s predecessor — mainly to supervise the fledgling air transport operations, and to oversee its growth.

Having been introduced early into the intricacies of air transportation, the Philippines rose to become the first Asian superstar in aviation — Philippine Airlines became the first airline in Asia.

Sadly, because of past policy mistakes and the political and social disruptions suffered by our country, the local aviation industry failed to sustain the momentum of its early start.

Today we note this fact not to bring up useless recriminations, but to measure how much harder we have to work to reclaim the premier position we used to hold in the field of civil aviation. We in the Ramos administration are determined to fully apply ourselves to this task.
A NECESSARY PARTNERSHIP
We are focusing our efforts on building up the aviation industry because it is a key vehicle for achieving our shared vision of “Philippines 2000!!!”. In this endeavor, the air transportation office plays a pivotal role.

Air transportation remains the safest and the fastest mode of ferrying people and cargo across our archipelago. Necessarily, the task of putting Philippine aviation back at the forefront of international aviation must be a cooperative effort between the government and the private sector — that is, the airlines, the aircraft operators and the riding public.

This year’s conference on “Philippine Aviation 2000!!!” held a few months ago emphasized the fundamental necessity of this partnership. It noted rightly that without effectively harnessing the cooperative effort of those involved, our quest in this area would end in failure.

We can profit from the experiences of the Asian dragons which have taken great strides because they have strong and profitable air carriers behind them such as Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. We believe that, in turn, these airlines are strong because of the synergy and cooperation between their governments and a supportive riding public.

Thus, as the Philippines moves along the pathway of modernization, you can expect from our government unswerving support and commitment to our common objectives. But we also need reciprocal support from the private sector, the mobilization of which is one of ATO’s major duties.
GOVERNMENT UNDERTAKINGS
Today we inaugurate the new Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) control tower. There are also upgraded control towers and terminals that we will establish in other parts of the archipelago to represent part of our government’s commitment in the development of aviation.

We are now also engaged in a nationwide modernization of navigational aids, a program assisted by the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) of Japan.

We have also put up the communication navigation system/air traffic management system (CNS/ATMS) utilizing satellite communications and the French protocol’s enroute radar modernization system which aims to provide full radar coverage of Philippine airspace, especially the southern growth areas around the cities of Davao, Zamboanga, and General Santos.

You are now aware of my administration’s program to modernize the NAIA with three on-going projects — runway lengthening, Terminal II (domestic) which is also supported by Japan, and Terminal III (international) which is to be undertaken largely by the private sector under a b-o-t arrangement — as well as the conversion of the former Clark Air Base as a premier international airport. Laoag, Subic, Mactan, Zamboanga and Davao international and various domestic airports are in the process of being upgraded.

These projects afford us better capabilities to support the industry’s development and promote aviation safety.

We put the topmost priority on aviation safety not only because we are a signatory to the International Cvil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Chicago Convention, but also because it is what the public deserves.
BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR AVIATION
We have successfully built the foundations for our country’s growth in the last two years, and we are now experiencing a significant breakthrough in the economy. We are also pursuing a social reform agenda for our people’s welfare.

Our air transport industry has also shown signs of parallel growth, benefiting from the increased economic activity and the dramatic upsurge in tourism which is growing at the rate of 20% a year.

Internationally, the aviation industry has been registering high growth over the past years. Spurred by the bullish rise in trade and commerce, and boosted by the rapid developments in aeronautical science and technology, it has advanced as one of the most progressive industrial sectors.

It is expected to perform even better over time especially in the Asia-Pacific region where the Philippines is strategically positioned.

We are taking advantage of these exciting developments so as to be able to land an abundant haul of socio-economic opportunities and benefits for our people and country. And as we continuously expand our national economy, we hasten our transformation from an economic “tiger cub” into a grown tiger.

It is therefore essential to strengthen the capabilities of government to deal with the opportunities and challenges at hand.

In the area of aviation, the Air Transportation Office must be at the forefront of these efforts, because of its key responsibilities and functions.

For what growth will we have if we have unsafe airports? If we have strikes? If we have not curbed flight delays? If we have not established total protection and safeguards against collisions or crashes?

As the aviation industry maintains sustained progress, the ATO will have to regulate more airlines and airplanes, control more flights, handle more airports and certify more airmen. The Philippine skies will be more crowded, and more pressure will bear on aviation safety.

In the face of this rapidly changing environment and the increasing demands it places on our competence and dedication, we need to be one step ahead always and ever adaptable to changing scenarios.

We must be alert to adopt better systems, better policies and rules, better equipment, better management.

Most of all, we need a well-motivated workforce, for systems and equipment will only be as good as the people who make things work.
CORPORATIZATION OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
Putting into private hands — or corporatization — of air traffic control is fast becoming a global trend. Other countries that have taken this path have reaped good dividends.

Thus, I encourage and fully support the corporatization of air traffic control and air navigation services in the air transportation office. These operational services are perhaps better performed by the private sector and may be the way to bring permanent peace in the industry. This step would also save the government hundreds of millions of pesos that can be used for other developmental endeavors.

And the corporatization scheme may well result in making the Air Transportation Office organizationally focused along regulatory lines which should be its main concern and make it adapt better to the dynamic aviation environment.

And speaking of being responsive, your office has a unique reputation as the most strike-prone government agency. But the strikes, though causing difficulties, do not comprise the real problem — they just manifest a symptom of a deeper problem that has not been properly addressed.

Enduring industrial peace in the aviation sector requires a long-term solution, not stop-gap remedies. The problems of the air traffic controllers present a noticeable crack in a system that does not keep apace with the changes in the environment it operates in. Thus, some modifications or reforms are in order.

It may be recalled that last March, I ordered the reinstatement of a group of nine dismissed air traffic controllers. I hope they have now developed a better attitude towards their duties. I am glad to announce that I have authorized the payment of back salaries, allowances and benefits to this group as recommended by the ATO and the Secretary of Transportation and Communications.
WE SHALL NOT FAIL
In closing, let me say that our march to our national vision of “Philippines 2000!!!” demands from each of us sacrifices, great endeavors and deep resolve.

We who dare to achieve this dream cannot expect to have an easy or comfortable road before us. But when we finally reach our goals, they will be so much sweeter for the effort, sacrifice and pain we have invested for our people’s well-being and welfare.

My friends, let us now think as one, move as one and act as one, for united in work and in purpose, we shall not fail.

Mabuhay “ATO 2000!!!”

Thank you very much and good day to all.