Palace: Cebu Pac mishap won't affect bid for aviation upgrade

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Tuesday allayed fears that the Cebu Pacific mishap may affect the country's bid for an aviation upgrade.

 

Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said the incident should not be a reflection of the country's aviation safety status.

 

"I think what happened in Cebu Pacific is not something that you can say [is] systemic," Carandang said at a press briefing.

 

Earlier today, Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya warned that representatives from the European Union (EU) who are currently in the country for a safety audit may take the Cebu Pacific mishap into account.

 

"Sa katunayan yung EU team ay nandito ngayon, dumating noong Lunes at aalis ng Biyernes. Na-timing, maling timing. Maganda na rin na makita yan para makita natin ang honest facts of the status of our airlines," Abaya said in a radio interview.

 

"Siguro makakaapekto, pero ito naman ay nangyayayri din sa ibang bansa. Hindi naman fatal... Ang mahalaga dito kung yun procedure ba ay nasusundan," he added.

 

In 2007, the Philippines was downgraded to a Category 2 status, preventing the country from adding travel routes to the United States and Europe.

 

But Carandang said they we will leave it to the visiting inspectors to have an appreciation of what impact the recent mishap would have.

 

"I can say at this point that the steps that were recommended for us to be taken off Category 2 are being taken by our airport authorities," the official assured.

 

Carandang also told airlines in the country to take the necessary steps to make sure there will not be a repeat of the incident.

 

"We are a bit concerned about that. What's important for us is to determine the cause of the accident and to take steps to prevent that from happening again," he said.