“Failure is not a single, cataclysmic event. You don’t fail overnight. Instead, failure is a few errors in judgement repeated every day.” – JIM ROHN.
*******
Staring into our circumstances today – in every aspect of life and governance – there appears to be an obnoxious error committed everyday by people in higher places.
Or people in authority.
There is a suggestion from Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez which i find a commendably excellent idea.
Why not allow foreign carriers or airlines to come into the Philippines and ply their trade to satisfy the needs of Pinoy air travellers?
Of late, Cebu Pacific has been in the forefront of ugly news.
So many travellers are disgusted with the level of public service this so-called budget airline has been rendering to its patrons and the general public.
The Houe of Representatives has called for a legislative probe (in aid of leislation) and discovered to much of its dismay that Cebu Pac has been unceasingly over-booking resulting in cancellation, delayed flights and inconvenience to affected travellers.
This is not the first time that CebuPac has been complained of by regular passengers. Its no-refund and re-booking policies are incontrovertibly one-sided in favor of the airline.
What is the Civil Aviations Board and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines doing? Whioch of the two government agencies has the regulatory function and supervision to rectify wrongs by arilines committed against the travelling public?
There is so much debate and discussion going on that we again may overlooked Rodriguez’ suggestion for the government to bring in one or two foreign-based airliners to service the lack and the inadequacy Pinoy commuters are suffering from local airline operators.
Let’s face it.
PAL, Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, and one or two small companies more operating in the country are unable to fulfill and satisfyingly serve the needs of domestic travelers whose number is growing year after year.
Pinoys are subjected to a limited choice and have to grunt and bear the discomfort and inconvenience.
AIrline executives concerned have blamed foreign suppliers for the delayed delivery of spare parts to repair a number of aircrafts badly needing maintenance.
Rodriguez has also urged the government to suspend CebuPac’s franchise temporarily, an action that we think CAB or CAAP should exercise promptly.
While it is true that low fares grant many more domestic flyers the financial capability, these cannot overturn the inconvenience, anxiety and discomfort that flight cancellations do to passengers.
Pinoys will pay for good excellent airline service when necessary.
Businessmen, who value time, know that they lose a lot when they miss meetings and appointments with clients and business partners.
Since HOR itself grants franchises, shouldn’t Congress itself recall the airline’s franchise if it is found grossly culpable and negligent in meeting the demands and satisfying the needs of the traveling public?
Perhaps. Rep Rodriguez can start the ball rolling.
(For this matter, our local tourism efforts could suffer tremendously if domestic airlines like CebuPaC are unable to render efficient service to foreign visitors. Pity.)
More importantly, the government regulating agency should not allow airlines to implement the no-refund policy. This is a great disservice to Pinoys who are patronizing the airline.
Has the government penalized a local airline for unreasonably offloading passengers?
Has any court of law litigated a concern like this in favor of the offloaded passenger?
Shouldn’t the CAB or CAAP issue guidelines and prominently publish and post the rights of passengers in all airports as well as distribute leaflets to passengers when they fly?
The thing is that passengers who have problems with their carriers are left wondering (and helpless) because they cannot seek immediate assistance from CAB/CAAP personnel who can mediate in their behalf.
Employees of airlines at the airport don’t seem too eager to help.
There are so many loopholes in the bureaucracy that have been left un-attended because the complaints of Pinoys are obviously taken for granted.
So, now perhaps the appropriate government agency should take serious notice of Rodriguez’ suggestions to suspend CebuPac’s franchise temporarily and then consider the possibility of granting one or two foreign airlines to service the growing needs of the Pinoy community.
This is a win-win solution, as far as I am concerned. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com). GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
