January 30, 2023
The seven members of the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) joined by the Safe Travel Alliance (STA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on the House and Senate to reconsider the bill creating the Philippine Transportation Safety Board and approve the same in the 19th Congress.
The recent incident involving the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the alleged faulty air traffic management system has brought air transportation safety – and transportation safety, in general – in the spotlight. It was a strong reminder of the need to pass legislation creating the Philippine Transportation Safety Board (PTSB).
In a letter sent by the members of the JFC to the Senate Public Services and House Transportation Committees, amid ongoing congressional hearings on the NAIA incident, the JFC expressed support for the creation of the PTSB.
Currently, all investigations on transportation accidents are undertaken by the government agencies that have regulatory powers over the respective sector of the transportation industry. Because most of these agencies are also tasked to regulate and/or operate the sector, there is an inherent conflict of interest in the performance of their duties as an investigating bodies.
The bills seek to create the PTSB, an independent and impartial transport safety body patterned after best practices in other countries that will address regulatory gaps in the transport safety bureaucracy, facilitate the enhancement of transportation safety measures and standards, and coordinate all the actions of relevant public and private entities toward the common goal of ensuring transport safety.
The legislation was approved in both Houses in the previous Congress but was vetoed during the early days of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s presidency.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that the current Congress can refine the bill so that the reasons cited for the veto can be addressed.
Once enacted, the new PTSB can commence its programs to prevent major transportation accidents which compromise the lives of the travelling public.
Release approved by:
American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
International Air Transport Association
Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc.
Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc.
Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters, Inc.
Safe Travel Alliance