Press Release
January 17, 2022
The members of the Joint Foreign Chambers call on the House and Senate to complete ratification of the reconciled version of the Bicameral Conference Committee of Senate Bill 1077 and House Bill 9030, creating the Philippine Transportation Safety Board (PTSB).
The foreign chambers are joined in the letter by Safe Travel Alliance, International Air Transport Association (IATA), and Air Carriers Association of the Philippines.
The Bicameral Conference Committee has been constituted since September 2021 but has yet to meet. The business groups are hopeful this important bill will be ratified by both chambers of Congress when they resume session for three weeks on January 17 before they go on campaign recess on February 5.
Once ratified the bill can finally be endorsed for enactment by the president.
The PTSB bill has repeatedly been filed since 2004 and has languished in Congress for almost two decades. Only during the current 18th Congress has this bill reached the most advanced stage in both chambers and thus now has solid prospects for enactment.
The proposed law seeks the creation of a non-regulatory and independent agency attached to the Office of the President to be the primary agency responsible for the conduct of impartial investigation on transportation-related accidents and incidents. The main objectives of the Board are: (a) to improve transportation safety measures that will help in the prevention of transportation accidents and mitigation of dangers to human lives and property; and (b) to ensure the implementation of transportation safety standards.
Presently, different agencies handle different sectors of transportation with regard to accident investigations. The CAAP has authority over aviation disasters. Sea mishaps are under the Maritime Industry Authority which forms inquiry boards to investigate major maritime disasters. With respect to road accidents involving public utility vehicles, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has jurisdiction. Road accidents may also be investigated by the Philippine National Police, the Land Transportation Office, and by the Metro Manila Development Authority.
“Once enacted, the new PTSB can commence its programs to discourage and reduce major transportation accidents taking the lives of too many Filipinos,” according to American Chamber Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe.
The JFC is a coalition of the American, Australian-New Zealand, Canadian, European, Japanese, Korean chambers and PAMURI. We represent over 3,000 member companies engaged in around $100 billion worth of trade and some $30 billion worth of investments in the Philippines. The JFC supports and promotes open international trade, increased foreign investment, and improved conditions for business to benefit both the Philippines and the countries the JFC members represent.
Members of the Joint Foreign Chambers are:
American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
Australian-New Zealand Commerce of the Philippines
Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Philippines
Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters, Inc.