CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIPPINES: LEGAL FOUNDATIONS, STRUCTURE, AND FUNCTIONS

Civil Aviation

The operation of aircraft for non-military purposes, including commercial and private flights.

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)

An independent regulatory body with quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative powers, created to provide safe and efficient air transport and regulatory services in the Philippines.

Republic Act No. 9497

The law approved on March 4, 2008 that created CAAP and declared the State policy to ensure safe and efficient air transport.

Declaration of Policy

“To provide safe and efficient air transport and regulatory services in the Philippines… and promote, develop and regulate the technical, operational, safety, and aviation security functions under the civil aviation authority.”

Independent Regulatory Body

A body with authority to regulate, restructure, and oversee the civil aviation system.

Creation of the Authority (Section 4)

Establishes CAAP as an independent regulatory body and abolishes the Air Transportation Office created under Republic Act No. 776.

Air Transportation Office (ATO)

The existing office that was abolished upon the creation of CAAP.

. Board Composition

(a) The Secretary of the Department of Transportation and

Communications shall act as chairman ex officio;

(b) The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) shall automatically

be the vice chairman of the Board;

(c) The Secretary of Finance;

(d) The Secretary of Foreign Affairs;

(e) The Secretary of Justice;

(f) The Secretary of the Interior and Local Government;

(g) The Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment; and

later the Secretary of Tourism pursuant to R.A. 9593 or the Tourism

Act of 2009.

Mandates and Functions

• Establish and prescribe rules and regulations for the inspection

and registration of all aircraft owned and operated in the

Philippines and all air facilities;

• Establish and prescribe the corresponding rules and regulations

for the enforcement of laws governing air transportation;

• Determine, fix and/or prescribe charges and/or rates pertinent to

the operation of public air utility facilities and services;

• Administer and operate the Civil Aviation Training Center (CATC);

• Operate and maintain national airports, air navigation and other

similar facilities in compliance to ICAO;

• Perform such other powers and functions as may be prescribed

by law.