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The Philippines and the United States will expand air transport connectivity and modernize the two countries’ bilateral aviation partnership
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The two countries on May 16 signed a Record of Discussion expressing the general intent towards enhanced cooperation in the field of air transportation
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The Civil Aeronautics Board will work closely with the US Department of Transportation to discuss issues related to aviation policy and regulation
The Philippines and the United States will expand air transport connectivity and modernize the two countries’ bilateral aviation partnership, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The two countries on May 16 signed a Record of Discussion expressing the intent towards enhanced cooperation in the field of air transportation.
The ROD was signed by DOTr undersecretary Elmer Sarmiento and US Department of Transportation (DOT) assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs Carol Annie Petsonk during the PH-US bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 11th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Transportation Ministerial Meeting in Detroit, Michigan.
The signing follows an announcement by the White House early this month that the US and the Philippines intends to expand air connectivity and modernize bilateral aviation relationship to strengthen economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
With the signing of the ROD, DOTr said its attached agency, Civil Aeronautics Board, will be working closely with the US DOT to promote greater cooperation and discuss issues of mutual interest and concern related to aviation policy and regulation.
At the meeting, the Philippine delegation shared its priorities in the aviation sector, particularly on the areas of civil aviation master planning, air traffic management, uptake of sustainable aviation fuels, and modernization of aviation infrastructure and operations.
Other ongoing initiatives on maritime, road, and rail transport were taken up. Officials of DOTr highlighted the country’s efforts towards modernizing the transport network systems, anchored on the principles of sustainability, resiliency, and green mobility.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) early this month said it will launch a new partnership to scale up infrastructure development in the Philippines and support the construction of high-quality railways, ports, and transport systems.
USAID said it will work with the US Congress to provide US$5 million to support the Philippine government to scale up the country’s infrastructure that is necessary to drive economic growth and improve connectivity.
This assistance will include supporting project preparation and developing public-private partnership structures on critical public infrastructure projects including railways, ports and transport systems, with a greater focus on transparency, participation and stakeholder engagement in the entire infrastructure project cycle.
