The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) is cutting down on paper requirements for applications that need to go through hearings and investigations, a preparatory move for complete digitalization of the agency’s operations by next year.
CAB Board Resolution No. 06 approves the implementation of the Less Paper Transaction Program in the conduct of hearings and investigations before the aeronautics board.
CAB said the program intends to “contribute (to) saving trees, conserving precious water, and helping Mother Earth,” and is a prelude to the launch of the office’s full computerization program by 2017.
The program is also in compliance with the e-Commerce Law that mandates all government agencies to use electronic data messages, documents, and signatures.
Moreover, under Chapter II, Section 7, Paragraph (c) of Administrative Order No. 1, series of 1960, or the Prescribed Rules of Procedure Governing Hearing and Investigations before the CAB, the filing of documents need not be signed, but the name of the person signing them should be reproduced.
The program covers all applications for the issuance of the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, Foreign Air Carrier’s Permit, and other permits or authority that undergo hearings and probes.
Applications should be made on the prescribed CAB form, to which is attached only one copy each of the original or certified true copy of the required documents, and submitted to CAB’s Receiving Section.
The Hearing Examiners’ Division (HED) will then issue a Notice of Hearing, setting the date of initial hearing and the date of the pre-marking of documents, which should preferably be at least seven days before the scheduled initial hearing.
Five working days before the hearing, the applicant must submit the marked documents, as well as their digital copy in PDF format—individually saved and properly described and stored in a USB flash drive.
The applicant must also submit a hard copy and a digital copy of the verified declaration that the digital documents stored in the USB flash drive are true copies and faithful reproductions of the original, and that CAB is authorized to reproduce them for hearing purposes.
Also, five working days before the hearing, the HED will furnish the hearing panel with electronic copies of the submitted documents.
Filing of pleading and submission of additional documents required during the hearing and before the submission of the Written Formal Offer of Evidence (WFOE) must be done through a proper motion filed with CAB’s Receiving Section in one copy and sent through email.
The WFOE will be filed after the HED issues a copy of the Order of Compliance with CAB’s Receiving Section.
Digital copies of documents will also be used in the deliberation of the application during the Board meeting, with members of the Board provided the equipment needed for browsing.
The Board resolution was signed by Transportation Undersecretary for Administration Catherine Gonzales, Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Benito Bengzon, Jr., Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines director-general William Hotchkiss III, Board member Jose Victor Luciano, and CAB director-general Carmelo Arcilla.
CAB is tasked to regulate, promote, and develop the economic aspect of air transportation in the Philippines and ensure the sector’s policies are adapted to the present and future conditions of air commerce in the country. – Roumina Pablo
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