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.
CAAP 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.
Carlos added that the breakdown of vital infrastructure, such CAAP’s Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS-ATM) system for Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC), constitutes a threat to national security, thus the need for immediate action.
After the meeting, heads and representatives toured the affected equipment and facilities inside the CAAP compound.
GCG to Caap: Explain glitch
IN a statement, the GCG, meanwhile, said it has directed the CAAP to submit a report on the circumstances surrounding the air traffic management issues experienced by NAIA earlier this week. The GCG added that CAAP was given three working days to submit the report.
“As partners in national development and public service, the said report will inform the Governance Commission, as the central oversight agency for GOCCs, on how it may further support CAAP to avoid the reoccurrence of such incidents,” GCG Chairperson Alex L. Quiroz said.
“Further, this report will help us ensure the functional operation and safe and reliable management of Philippine air navigation systems,” Quiroz added.
GCG said based on its records the Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance/ Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system of CAAP was a strategic target in CAAP’s 2017 Performance Scorecard and its transition and implementation were the agency’s strategic target in its 2018 and 2019 scorecards.
“To further support the implementation of CAAP’s CNS/ATM, the Governance Commission authorized the creation of 136 Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance System Officer I plantilla positions through GCG Memorandum Order No. 2017-08,” it added.
The GCG serves as the central advisory, oversight, and monitoring body for GOCCs, monitors and evaluates the operations of GOCCs to be transparent and responsive to the needs of the public. CAAP is a GOCC created through Republic Act 94971.
The DOTr earlier said an oversight office under CAAP will lead the investigation on the technical issues that temporarily paralyzed flights to and from the Philippines’ main gateway on Sunday. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/01/03/airport-fiasco-big-probe-begins/)