DOTC exec: Passenger Bill of Rights can save travelers from being exploited, duped

With the Air Passenger Bill of Rights in effect, a Transportation official on Saturday said passengers can now expect full, fair, and clear disclosure of the service offered by airlines, as well as the right to clear and non-misleading advertisements and important reminders regarding fares. In an interview on GMA News TV’s "Kape at Balita," Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya stressed that airplane passengers, especially those who fly for the first time, must be fully informed about the services they can expect. “Maraming first-time flyers... at dapat alam nila ang kanilang karapatan,” Abaya said. According to him, passengers who are not properly informed of their rights when flying could be exploited or tricked. The Air Passenger Bill of Rights, or DOTC/DTI Joint Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2012, was signed on Dec. 11 and took effect on Friday, Dec. 21. The bill of rights seeks to address the issues such as overbooking, non-rebookability, and non-refundability. The bill of rights focuses on passengers' right to accurate information, right to receive full value of the service they bought, and right to compensation in cases of delay, cancellation, and delayed, lost or damaged baggage. Also according to the joint order, airline companies are obliged to compensate passengers and provide them with amenities – refreshments or meals, hotel accommodations, transportation to and from the airport, and communication – in case flights are canceled or delayed.      Abaya said, “Ang mga promo naman ay malinaw na tutuloy ho 'yan. Gusto lang natin linawin na kapag may promo – lets say P1 only – dapat manlinaw sa pasaherong bumibli kung magkano ba talaga ang kanyang babayaran sa huli.” He cited the "P1 plane fare" promo that will, in the end, turn out to be more than P1,000 because of various charges. Abaya also said the success of the regulation depends on the airlines as they are the ones to implement the provisions in the order. However, he added that the Civil Aeronautics Board will oversee the implementation for the government. Elvira Medina, president of the National Council for Commuters Safety and Protection (NCCSP), also noticed the importance of airlines giving proper information about their airfare promos tackled in the bill of rights. “Ang importante na nakita ko sa bill of rights... iyong malinaw na pagbibigay ng impormasyon kung ano talaga ang nakapaloob doon sa promo,” she said. She also mentioned other issues that the bill of rights will tackle, such as certifications that flight stewards and stewardesses are trained in first aid. Abaya, however, said such issues can still be addressed as the bill of rights is still a work in progress. Bernice Yujeco, a travel blogger, hailed the significant assistance the order is expected to give to airplane passengers, and hoped for the success of the order’s implementation. “Siguro ang magiging concern ko dito bilang isang traveler ay yung implementation. Sana maging maayos yung implementation at sana yung authorities natin nakabantay din doon sa mga maaaring hindi tumupad,” she said. — Gian C. Geronimo /LBG, GMA News