MANILA — The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved on third and final reading a measure granting budget carrier Cebu Pacific a fresh 50-year legislative franchise.
House Bill No. 11536 secured 288 affirmative votes without any opposition during the plenary session on Monday, October 12, with two lawmakers abstaining. The measure, which consolidated several proposals, was advanced under the gavel of House Deputy Speaker and Misamis Oriental 2nd District Representative Yevgeny Vicente “Bambi” Emano.
The newly passed bill extends the operating franchise of Cebu Air, Inc. for another half-century once its current authority under Republic Act No. 7151 expires.
During previous deliberations, Albay 3rd District Representative Adrian Salceda—author of one of the consolidated bills—emphasized how vital air networks are to an archipelagic nation like the Philippines.
“For an archipelagic country like the Philippines, connectivity is economic infrastructure. Kapag mahal o mahirap bumiyahe mula probinsya patungo sa mga sentro ng ekonomiya, hindi lamang pasahero ang naaapektuhan. Tumataas din ang cost of doing business, lumiliit ang access sa turismo at merkado, at nababawasan ang oportunidad sa mga rehiyon,” he said.
“Kami po sa Albay, we have Cebu Pacific as our most important air carrier. And air connectivity is crucial for us given how difficult the road conditions are in Maharlika Highway,” Salceda added.
Under the provisions of the bill, the airline is mandated to sustain scheduled and non-scheduled domestic and international flight services while adhering strictly to safety, technical, and rate regulations set by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
The measure also grants the President of the Philippines the authority to temporarily take over airline operations during national emergencies, rebellions, or calamities, alongside standard provisions on government facility sharing and accident liability.