The United States (US) and the Philippines have agreed to strengthen their bilateral partnership in air transportation, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Thursday, May 18

In a press release, DOTr said the agreement occurred at the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 11th APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting last May 16 where PH and US officials discussed their shared interest in encouraging air travel and enhancing cooperation in the aviation industry.

According to the agency, the agreement was formalized through the signing of Record of Discussion (ROD), which centers on the development of air transport policy and regulation.

Both DOTr Undersecretary Elmer Francisco Sarmiento and US DOT Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Annie Petsonk signed the ROD.

“With the signing of the ROD, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), an attached agency of the DOTr, will work closely with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to promote greater cooperation and discuss issues of mutual interest and concern related to aviation policy and regulation,” the transportation department said.

The signing was witnessed by DOTr Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development Timothy John Batan, DOTr officer-in-charge for International Cooperation Division Ana Dominique Consulta, and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Principal Assistant Michael Joseph Ostique.

The Philippine delegation thanked the US government for its continuing support for aviation and other DOTr programs which aim at modernising the country’s transportation infrastructure.