ibang negosyo’t industriya; at ang itulak ang inyong probinsya sa landas ng pagasenso’t kaunlaran,” the President said. “Sa pagdagsa ng mas maraming bisita sa Capiz, dumadagsa rin ang mas maraming pagkakataon para sa mga Capizeño na itimon ang kanilang buhay at para makiambag sa pagpapalago ng ating ekonomiya.” The President also said the government allotted P7.69 billion for the repair and rehabilitation of airports in the country this year. These developments will be enhanced by the lifting of the Significant Safety Concerns warning by the International Civil Aviation Organization issued previously to the Philippines, the chief executive said. To ensure that every flight is safe, the country is using the Civil Aviation Safety Oversight Reporting and Tracking System as database of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Airlines are also now mandated to undergo Minimum Required Annual Inspection in addition to CAAP’s Certificate Management Department. This will ensure that all local carriers flying overseas follow safety regulations. With the passage of the Common Carriers Tax Act, the President said the Thursday, April 11, 2013
removal of the 3 percent tax on airlines and shipping will encourage more tourists to come to the Philippines, thus bringing more development to industries tied with the tourism sector. The efficient use of P17 million for the rehabilitation of airports, ports, roads and tourism promotion are all geared towards opening the country to more tourists and foreign investors, according to the chief executive. The President also reported that with the intense competition among local airlines the country would need additional 119 aircrafts to fill the need for more planes connecting major foreign cities and the Philippines. “Walang ibang hangarin ang kasalukuyang administrasyon kundi ang pagbuksan ng pinto ang mundo para dumagsa ang mga negosyo, turismo, at, pinakaimportante po, kabuhayan na pakikinabangan ng mga Pilipino,” he said. “Kung dati, nasanay tayo sa siklo ng pagsadsad at pagkakadapa, ngayon, bumabangon na tayo at naghahandang umalpas. Ngayon, humaharap na tayo sa isang maaliwalas na bukas. Huwag na po tayong hihinto pa; tayo na po at iarangkada sa kaunlaran ang ating bansa,” the President added. PND (as)
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