Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 776)
The title of the Act is "The Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines."
The main purpose is the reorganization of the Civil Aeronautics Board and the Civil Aeronautics Administration, defining their powers and duties, adjustment of funds and personnel, and regulation of civil aeronautics.
No, the provisions except air traffic rules do not apply to military aircraft and airmen of the Philippines and foreign countries.
The Board is composed of the Secretary of Commerce and Industry as Chairman, the Civil Aeronautics Administrator, the Commanding Officer of the Philippine Air Force, and two other members appointed by the President.
It is a permit issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board authorizing a person to engage in air commerce and/or air transportation, foreign and/or domestic, subject to terms and conditions.
Permits for domestic air commerce shall be issued only to citizens of the Philippines, except as otherwise provided in the Constitution or existing treaties.
They shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand pesos or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
The Administrator enforces the Act, issues various certificates (airman’s, airworthiness, carrier operating), establishes airways, regulates safety standards, investigates accidents, collects fees, and manages government aerodromes among others.
A permit is valid from its effective date until suspended, revoked, or operation has ceased; however, no permit shall be issued for more than twenty-five years.
An airman is any individual engaged as pilot, mechanic, radio operator, crew member, or responsible for inspection, maintenance, or air traffic control operations related to aircraft navigation.
Yes, the Board may alter, amend, modify, suspend or revoke permits in whole or in part upon petition, complaint, or on its own initiative if public interest requires.
Applications must be in writing, verified, and filed with the Board, followed by public notice and a hearing involving interested parties, subject to Board regulations.
No permit may be transferred unless the transfer is approved by the Civil Aeronautics Board as consistent with the public interest.
Any such violation shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred pesos for each violation.
The Board fixes and determines reasonable rates, charges or fares, ensuring no undue preference, discrimination, or unreasonableness, considering public interest and economic factors.
The aircraft must be owned by Philippine citizens and not registered under foreign laws; the owner must file an application with specifications and technical details for registration.
The Board issues permits for foreign air carriers with the approval of the President and coordinates with the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding air agreements with foreign governments.
A fine not exceeding five thousand pesos or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both, may be imposed on any person operating an unregistered aircraft eligible for registration.
The Civil Aeronautics Administrator may file complaints for penalties, and the Civil Aeronautics Board may impose fines, compromise penalties, and suspend or revoke permits for non-compliance.
The Board prescribes forms for accounts, records, and traffic memoranda that air carriers must keep; petitions, contracts, and other documents may be required to be filed with the Board under oath.