CAAP needs ‘young blood’ to keep Category 1 status

MANILA, Philippines – The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) needs young blood to ensure the retention of the country’s Category 1 standing in the aviation community, its deputy chief said on Friday, April 11.

CAAP deputy chief John C Andrews said in a candid radio interview that the  present CAAP leadership consists mostly of men in their 70s who may not be around long enough to ensure that the Philippines maintains its Category 1 status, recently restored by the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA).

 “Kailangan mas bata. (There should be younger people in the CAAP.) Many of our officials are senior citizens at pwedeng tawagin anytime ng Panginoon (who can be taken anytime by the Lord),” said Andrews.

A Category 1 standing means Philippine aviation has complied with international safety standards set by the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

It  allows local carriers to launch and add flights to the world’s largest economy.

CAAP chief William K Hotchkiss said the agency was given a two-year “reprieve,” during which the FAA would regularly conduct performance reviews to ensure that CAAP is sustaining its gains in aviation safety.

The 71-year-old Hotchkiss likened it to a probation program, where FAA officials would come regularly to determine if the agency has succeeded or failed to sustain the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Andrews said this is why CAAP has to hire young people  “to make sure that Category I is maintained.”

“We need new blood,” he said.

Andrews said, however, that CAAP has “no capacity to hire” highly-paid technical personnel. While CAAP generates its own revenues, it has to seek funds for new hires from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)

While CAAP is supposed to be an independent body that can fund its modernization program, it remains to be under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said in an interview with reporters at the CAAP on Thursday that the DOTC has managed to help CAAP address the concerns of the FAA.

He said that since the Category 1 had been regained, “that should indicate enough that the set-up is working; there is no reason but to improve.” – Rappler.com