ROXAS CALLS FOR SENATE HEARINGS ON STATE OF RP AIRPORTS

Senator Mar Roxas expressed concern on the immediate impact of the United States Federal Aviation Authority's ratings downgrade of the Philippines' aviation industry, saying it had implications on travel, tourism and investments, as he called for a Senate probe into airport safety.

"We can not just accept the FAA's judgment on our aviation industry, as it has an effect on tourism and investments," the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce said.

He will be calling an investigation in aid of legislation to determine the implications of the US FAA advisory to the Philippines in the interim, while Congress is deliberating on pending bills related to civil aviation.

"We will look at whether our ATO and other agencies are receiving enough funding to comply with FAA standards, and if this can be boosted to help them upgrade and improve on Philippine aviation," Roxas said.

"It is not enough to just be compliant or up to minimum standards. As a result of globalization, we have to be on a par with the world's best," he added.

Aside from this, the Liberal Party President said it could not be discounted that aviation funds were not being used for their purposes, and that the Senate will determine whether such misuse of funds was taking place.

"An investigation on the FAA's downgrade would also help us develop means to make a more transparent system in the use of government funds for the maintenance of airport facilities, to ensure that the people's money is being spent wisely," Roxas said.