Friday, September 24, 2010

International body cites RP for e-passport

INQUIRER.net


MANILA, Philippines—International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao) president Robert Kobeh Gonzalez has commended the Philippines for implementing the electronic passport (e-passport) project.
During his recent courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Secreatry Alberto Romulo at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Gonzalez said the use and issuance of e-passports facilitate the transit of passengers through international airports and provide greater safety.

The e-passport, which is compliant with Icao standards, is one of the flagship projects of the DFA in recent years. The Philippines is one of the first 60 countries which have implemented the e-passport, well ahead of the Icao schedule. Filipino travellers are enjoying the benefits of a modern, tamper-proof, and secure travel document.

Gonzalez also expressed optimism in the country's corrective measures to address aviation safety concerns, saying that the Philippines is "moving in the right direction."

Romulo thanked the Icao official for helping the Philippines formulate and implement a roadmap toward improving the safety of Philippine aviation, especially in the light of the current challenges met by the country’s aviation industry.

Icao is extending assistance through the Icao-Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) Technical Cooperation Project.

The secretary also highlighted the commitment by Caap to implement corrective action regarding Philippine aviation. He also said he hopes the planned visit of the Icao validation team to the Philippines within the fourth quarter of 2010 or the first quarter of 2011, as well as the visit of the European Union Aviation Safety Commission in October 2010, will see the progress of the country’s corrective actions.

Present during the courtesy call were United Nations Resident Coordinator Jacqueline Badcock, Caap Director General Alfonso Cusi, Icao-Caap Technical Coperation Project Consultant Captain Peter Weiss, DFA Assistant Secretary Jaime Victor Ledda, and DFA Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs J. Eduardo Malaya.

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