ASPAC aviation directors confab opens in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines — The 59th Conference of the Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of the Asia and Pacific Regions formally kicks off today, Oct.14, 2024, at Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort in Lapu-Lapu City.

The country’s Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista is set to grace the event, alongside Captain Manuel Tamayo, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, with Salvatore Sciacchitano, president of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

ICAO’s strategic plan and the global and regional priorities will be presented by ICAO’s Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, followed by a high level panel discussion on the topic: Shaping the Future of Aviation: Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive”.

The rest of the first day will be to tackle DGCA’s administrative arrangements, while a gala will be hosted by the Provincial government of Cebu at JPark Island and Resort also in Lapu-Lapu.

The conference will have eight other agendas spread in the next four days.

Topics expected to be discussed are aviation safety, air navigation, aviation security and facilitation, economic development of air transport, aviation and environment, capacity development and implementation, among others.

Participants though will get to take a breather on Thursday with a cultural tour at the Mactan Shine, Cebu Capitol, Magellan’s Cross and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, a running tour at the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, and a cultural show at Shangrila Mactan.

CAAP’s Director General Capt. Tamayo believes “that hosting the DGCA is a great opportunity to showcase our commitment to aviation safety and security, as well as our pledge to a sustainable future in aviation”.

“Our theme for this year’s conference, Shaping the Future of Aviation: Sustainable, Resilient, and Inclusive, is timely and relevant on both global and regional scales. The industry is adaptive to change and supports development while mitigating the impacts of climate change,” Tamayo said earlier.

Tamayo also calls on the rest in the industry to strengthen collaboration and synergies by promoting and improving policies and practices through strong stakeholder engagement. – /ATO (FREEMAN)