Phl needs to speed up infra alignment to maximize MAAS

Private sector leaders are calling for the acceleration of infrastructure alignment to prepare the country for the anticipated influx of flights and tourists within the ASEAN region, this after the Philippines decided to participate in the regional Multilateral Agreement in Air Services (MAAS). "I hope there st of the industry will react faster to t his new development and align our offerings and prices to new trends and demands. The Philippines is still perceived as one of the most expensive destinations to travel in the region; there should be a "correction" or alignment of some sort so that we will become t he most attractive destination in the ASEAN region. We definitely have the resources to do this," said tourism capitalist Jay P. Aldeguer.

The Philippines has finally caught up with its neighbors in the ASEAN and ratified the two remaining protocols of the regional pact liberalizing air transportation in the A SEAN economic community.

President Benigno Aquino III signed in February 3 the Protocol 5 and 6 of the air services agreement.

While this is a good and welcoming development, specifically for the tourism sector, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry tourism committee chairperson Milagros Espina said that the Philippines, including Cebu, should raise the entire standard in products and services.

"First is for our airport to raise itself to international level by up scaling basic services to include time paced air traffic. Then, road and bridge traffic should be managed expert ly ," said Espina.

Likewise, tours and tour guides must be enriched with new and creative tour destinations to include shopping, food trips and cultural and educational activities on top of business matching ," added Espina stressing t hat emphasis on environment friendly programs must be highlighted.

Cebu Business Club president Gordon Allan Joseph said that what needs immediate action under this development is to solve the obvious problem off light delays due to air traffic.

"We need to speed up the renovation of the old terminal. However, with the 50 percent of flights delayed the CAAP needs to get their act together to minimize or remove these delays. These delays inhibit tourism and to be lesser extent business travel," Joseph said.

Apparently, Joseph stressed there are three issues t hat Cebu and Manila are facing. These are; the need for improved world class airport facilities, consistent flight delays, and awful traffic. "All these three affect tourism."

Meanwhile, Aldeguer said the multilateral agreement on unlimited flights will definitely stimulate travel in the region and will bring in cheaper tickets. While this will mean more opportunities for the country it also means we will be facing a lot of competition.

"The Cebu airport will be one of the most critical components to optimize the potential for Cebu, so I'm glad we have seen vast improvements as of late ," Aldeguer said.

Under the two protocols, Philippine air carriers can now fly in unlimited frequencies to and beyond the capital cities of ASEAN member states. Protocol 5 provides contracting states' designated carriers with unlimited third and fourth freedom opportunities between their own capital city and all the other ASEAN capital cities while Protocol 6 provides unlimited fifth freedom traffic rights between ASEAN capital cities.