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| Photo by Scruffed. |
ROXAS: AIR PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS
FINAL BY END AUGUST
More comments from airlines, consumer
groups, stakeholders deliberated at second public hearing
MANILA, Philippines – Transportation
Secretary Manuel Roxas expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the crafting
of the Air Passenger Bill of Rights during the second public hearing held this
morning at DOTC headquarters.
The Department received numerous comments and suggestions before and after the first hearing held last 06 July.
“Natutuwa
kami sa kinalabasan ng pangalawang hearing sa Air Passenger Bill of Rights.
Napakaraming e-mails and
comments from IATA, Philippine Travel Agents Association, airlines at sa publiko na nagpadala ng mga suhestyon
kung ano ang mga dapat pagtibayin pa na
mga probisyon,” Roxas told the media after the hearing.
“Nakita naman ninyo na halos isang oras at
kalahati lang ang public hearing today; pakonti
nang pakonti na, unti-unti ng naa-address ang lahat ng mga issues.”
The second public consultation was
presided by Roxas, CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla, DTI Secretary
Gregorio Domingo, and DOTC Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla. Also present were DTI Undersecretary Zeny
Maglaya, DOT Secretary Ma. Victoria Jasmin, Samar 1st district Representative
Mel Senen Sarmiento, and CAAP Director General William Hotchkiss III. Major domestic airlines sent their
representatives.
Among the contentious issues tackled
and deliberated today were:
• Opening and closing hours of
check-in counters depending on the type of aircraft
• Required ad space for airlines to
clearly state the restrictions, conditions and other matters about air ticket,
including inclusion of terms and conditions twice in English and Filipino.
• Declaration of the number of seats
offered on promo fare
• Compensation for denial of boarding
• Compensation for loss, damage and
delay of baggage
• Special provisions for persons with
disabilities
• Immediate payment of compensation
• Reserve aircraft
Roxas reiterated that DOTC wants to
help the air industry sector effectively run their business operations but
emphasized that protecting passengers’ rights is the main objective of crafting
the Air Passenger Bill of Rights.
He added the TWG will consolidate all
the suggestions and comments that came in to put together the second draft.
“In two weeks time, we will circulate
another draft. The same email address
will remain open for a week for final comments on the second draft, based on
that we will determine what’s necessary and what’s not,” Roxas said.
He also clarified that based on the
direction of the hearings and emails from stakeholders, the JAO would cover
only the needs of roughly about 26,000 domestic passengers.
“Yung rules natin would be for everybody serving the domestic market dahil sa international naman may sapat na rules na umiiral ngayon, lahat ng
international flights ay sumusunod sa existing
IATA regulations,” Roxas explained.
He said he expects the final version
of the JAO ready by end of next month.
*****
Note to Editors:
DOTC – Department of Transportation
and Communications
DTI – Department of Trade and
Industry
DOT – Department of Tourism
CAB – Civil Aeronautics Board
MIAA – Manila International Airport
Authority
MCIAA – Mactan Cebu International
Airport Authority
PTAA – Philippine Travel Agents
Association
NCCSP -- National Center for Commuter
Safety and Protection
JAO – Joint Administrative Order
TWG – Technical Working Group