THE Aquino administration is pushing to reform the Philippine aviation sector in a bid to lure more tourists and make “selling the Philippines easy like selling Chickenjoy.”

Thus said President Benigno Aquino III adding that the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is bent on regaining Category 1 status under the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“A positive outcome will result in the expansion of our airlines’ capacities, which will redound to a healthier aviation industry, more mobility for our people, and ultimately, a more robust and equitably  progressive economy,” the President told his audience at the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Philippine Academy for Aviation Training in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

“As Secretary Mon Jimenez has said, selling the Philippines should be as easy as selling Chickenjoy,” Aquino said.

“We are aware of how gifted our country is — from our natural wonders to the inherently welcoming attitude of our people. Make no mistake about it: we plan on capitalizing on these competitive advantages,” he said.

Each new job in the tourism industry takes on a multiplier effect, empowering the citizens’ financial capacity, allowing local businesses to thrive and creating even more jobs for the rest of the Filipino people, the President explained.

The President said the DoT made a presentation at the 17th World Route Development Forum in Berlin last October, where they made convincing arguments for foreign airlines to include the Philippines in their Asian route expansions.

These efforts, the President believed, can only have a positive impact on the tourism sector — a low-lying fruit on the country’s economic agenda.

The President said that government is working on liberalizing aviation in the country.

“In the last year we have seen our liberalization programs translate into very robust growth in both domestic and international air traffic,” according to the President.

“The Department of Tourism has hit the ground running in the implementation of our Pocket Open Skies policy,” he said.

Later, tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez said a US FAA audit team is arriving next February for evaluation of the country’s airports.

The US FAA downgraded the Philippines to Category 2 from Category 1 in 2008 after a safety audit in November 2007.

The lower rating prevented the Philippine carriers from expanding operations in the US, it was learned.

Regaining Category 1 status would allow Philippine carriers to apply for additional US routes and frequency.