EXPLAIN ‘GLITCH,’ GCG ORDERS CAAP

THE Governance Commission for GOCCS (GCG) has directed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to explain the alleged “technical glitch” that led to cancellation of flights at NAIA last January 1.

This, as top aviation and security authorities agreed on the immediate upgrade of facilities and replacement of defective equipment during a top-level meeting called to address the problem caused by the power failure that resulted in the closure of Philippine air space during the New Year day.

At Tuesday’s meeting at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) head office, the heads or representatives of heads and representatives from the Departments of Transportation (DOTR), of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and of National Defense (DND); National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and Intelligence Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) recommended the measures to prevent another breakdown of aviation following the New Year’s Day technical glitch that resulted in cancellations, suspension of international and domestic flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Clark International Airport (CIA), Mactan-cebu International Airport (MCIA), Davao International Airport (DIA) and other Caap-operated airports.

After CAAP officials reported their findings on the most likely cause of the glitch to DOTR Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy offered to assist CAAP in expediting acquisition of the needed upgrade and repair packs.

Uy said, “We will give our full support to DOTR and CAAP in resolving this issue.”

At the interagency meeting, National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos suggested that such communications and electrical equipment are vital to national security, thereby facilitating any purchase and preventing a repeat of the incident.

CA AP also informed Carlos and Department of National Defense (DND) Officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr. that this does not appear to be a cybercrime because affected electrical equipment cannot be manipulated from outside the CAAP compound. Nonetheless, a review will still be conducted by cybersecurity experts.