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The Senate has referred to the committees on Public Services, and Ways and Means the bill that will renew Philippine Airlines’ franchise by another 50 years
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House Bill No. 10545 had its first reading and was referred to the appropriate committees during the Senate regular session on September 30
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The bill was given final approval by the House of Representatives on September 2
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PAL’s current franchise will expire in June 2028
The Senate has referred to the committees on Public Services, and Ways and Means the bill that will renew Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) franchise by another 50 years.
House Bill (HB) No. 10545 had its first reading and was referred to the appropriate committees during the Senate regular session on September 30.
This followed the Lower House’s approval on third and final reading of the proposed measure on September 2. The bill was transmitted to the Senate on September 3 for review and concurrence.
HB No. 10545 seeks to renew for another 50 years the franchise granted to Philippine Airlines, Inc. under Presidential Decree No. 1590, passed in June 1978 and renewed the flag carrier’s franchise for another 50 years.
The bill was introduced by Negros Occidental fourth district representative Jeffrey Ferrer, La Union first district representative Francisco Paolo Ortega, Cagayan de Oro City second district representative Rufus Rodriguez, ABAMIN Party-list representative Maximo Rodriguez, and Santa Rosa City lone district representative Roy Gonzales.
HB No. 10545 grants the flag carrier the franchise to continue to operate and maintain transport services for the carriage of passengers, mail, and property by air in and between any and all points and places throughout the Philippines, and between the Philippines and other countries. Except in case of force majeure and whenever weather conditions permit, it mandates the flag carrier to maintain scheduled, nonscheduled, and/or charter air-transport services domestically and internationally, subject to air traffic requirements.
It also authorizes PAL to use government-owned landing and airport facilities, subject to national security considerations, and reciprocally allows government use of PAL facilities.
Once approved by both legislative chambers, the bill will have to be approved and signed by the president to become law.
Founded in 1941, PAL is Asia’s first commercial airline. The flag carrier currently operates scheduled nonstop flights from its hubs in Manila and Cebu to 29 destinations across the Philippines and 40 destinations in Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East.
READ: PAL raises another $50M after initial $300M international bond offer
