Transport authorities position the local aviation sector as key driver helping make the Philippines a major travel and trade hub in Asia-Pacific, even serving as a gateway to North America, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Transportation undersecretary for Aviation and Airports, Roberto Lim, said the strengths and opportunities of the local aviation industry are vital to opening the country to international aviation landscape.
“We invite the world and the private sector to invest in the Philippine aviation sector because that’s the way to most effectively create infrastructure that will create connectivity among the islands to spur trade and commerce,” Lim said in briefing the press preparatory to the Singapore Airshow that will be held from the 20th to the 25th of February this year.
In citing the utility of the Public Service Act, Usec. Lim particularly noted the Philippines is open to foreign investments.
“That (Public Service Act) should set the tone in our sector that we are ready to take on the foreign investors interested in investing in the Philippines,” he said.
According to the official, the world class technical and customer service skills of Filipinos in the industry, its vibrant international investment environment, strategic geographical location, and the country’s strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth will all help in strengthening the aviation sector.
“The Philippines offers unique geographic advantages that we must seize upon so that we can truly become one of the major regional hubs in Asia,” Lim said.
