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Wednesday, December 18, 2002
Arroyo urged to declare DIA 'open skies' area
LOCAL chief executives implementing the Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP) has also joined the call for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to declare the Davao International Airport (DIA) as an area for "pocket open skies" and include it in government's bilateral air negotiations with other countries.
Local government units of the five cities and four provinces under DIDP as well as representatives from the Regional Development Council, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Agriculture and Department of Public Works and Highways Tuesday issued a resolution pressing the national government to allow the unfinished airport attract foreign airlines.
DIDP stressed there is a "strong need and basis" that the airport be declared as "pocket open skies" area as it has been touted to become the gateway and entry point of all flights from the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines east Asean Growth area as well as from Australia, New Zealand and other countries in Asia.
At present, DIA serves only a few international flights that include twice a week international flights between Davao and Manado, Indonesia, and Singapore.
DIDP noted that the airport caters to an increasing volume of passengers and cargo. Opening it to more foreign airlines will address future air traffic demands.
It has been noted that Mindanao has a large number of overseas Filipino workers working in Middle East countries, Europe, United States, Australia and Africa.
DIDP also pushes the need to appoint a representative from Davao Region who will sit in the Philippine Air panel in all of the bilateral air negotiations with foreign countries.
The private sector and City Councilors here have cried foul at the Department of Transportation and Communication and Civil Aeronautics Board for excluding DIA in the recently renewed air agreements with South Korea and Japan. OCE
b>(December 18, 2002 issue)
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