The President, speaking after the traditional New Year's toast ceremony in Malacañang, said he sought some changes in the composition of a panel that will negotiate the new air travel scheme.

The executive order, that would pave the way for the gradual liberalization of the air travel industry, was supposed to be signed Friday as announced by some Palace officials.

“I sent it back to the ES (Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.) for minor modifications. It has something to do with constituting the panel. I just wanted it to be more precise to reflect what we thought should occur in terms of negotiating on ‘open skies’. Minor revisions lang,” the President said in a press conference.

Asked when he intends to sign the EO on pocket “open skies” policy, the President said, “I assume it will be on my desk rather shortly.”

With the delayed issuance of the EO, the President explained that he is attending to many concerns this year, including sustaining economic growth and dealing with legal setbacks on some cases related to the campaign against corruption.

“It’s not an excuse, but there are many priorities. The Garcia (case) is also a very urgent priority. I’m sure it will come to a head this January,” he said, referring to the government’s plans to stop the controversial “plea bargain deal” obtained by former military comptroller Carlos Garcia from the Ombudsman’s prosecutors amid strong evidence to convict him of plunder.

Aquino was disappointed by the plea bargain deal that enabled Garcia to walk free after he pleaded guilty to lesser crimes and return one-third of assets he stole to the government.

Another priority of the administration is resolving the legal obstacles to Executive Order No. 1 that created the Truth Commission, according to the President. The Supreme Court had earlier declared the unconstitutionality of the commission that will investigate the corruption anomalies, involving the past administration.

“But more than that also is managing our economy so that we have the wherewithal to be able to really pump- prime in an effective manner and continue the upward growth of economy through investments rather than just remittances,” the President said.

The President had earlier defended his plans to open the country’s air traffic to more foreign airlines, saying this would spur tourism growth and job generation.

He also stressed that the liberalization of the air industry will be undertaken “in a way that will open up opportunities to competitive and world domestic carriers.”

Meanwhuile, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said the adoption of an open skies policy will help increase the city’s chances of inviting more airlines to serve the Manila-Baguio-Manila route to cater to the needs of high-end tourists who want to take a breather in the country’s Summer Capital.

According to the local chief executive, all public infrastructures in the city which is geared towards enhancing its tourism potentials are now in place although there is still a need to continue improving them but only the regular air service is needed to complete the full tourism package for Baguio as a prime foreign tourist destination.

He explained one of the disadvantages of spending a vacation in the city is the long travel time from Metro Manila to Baguio which is approximately 4 to 5 hours by land, thus, tourists are thinking twice in spending their vacation in the city.

Once airline service will be available in the city, Domogan claimed the vibrant local tourism industry will continue to flourish and invite the influx of more foreign tourists who are willing to spend while in the city visiting its scenic spots and enjoying its cool and romantic weather.

Air travel from Manila to Baguio takes at least one hour which is convenient for the high end tourists wanting to visit the country’s Summer Capital.

Last year, Sky Pasada, a local airline company, tried to service the Isabela, Manila-Baguio flights but ceased operation because of an advisory from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on the need to upgrade its fleet of planes. Since then, the airline company never resumed operations after committing that their airline services will resume by the end of last year.

Domogan claimed the city government and local tourism stakeholders are now trying their best to convince airline companies to serve the Manila-Baguio-Manila route to further strengthen the city’s booming industry.

The city mayor added that airlines utilizing the Loakan airport are chartered which indicates that the route is viable for airlines interested to service it.

Small aircraft have difficulty landing on the Loakan airport, especially during the rainy season and late afternoons since clouds usually create a zero visibility scenario thereby making it dangerous for aircraft.

Genalyn Kabiling, Manila Bulletin