PH, Malaysia to jointly boost search, rescue capabilities in air travel

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia formalized an agreement to create a working group to develop search and rescue capabilities at the CAAP Office in Pasay City on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Photo from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines)

MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has partnered with its counterpart in Malaysia to boost search and rescue capabilities, it announced on Wednesday.

The Civil Aviation Authority Act, or Republic Act 9497, tasks the CAAP with creating rules and procedures for search and rescue as part of its mandate to regulate air navigation.

Under the agreement, the CAAP and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) will form a working group among its experts to exchange best practices and develop innovative strategies for search and rescue operations.

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The partnership aims to reinforce ties between the Philippines and Malaysia by improving emergency response capabilities, according to CAAP.

Representatives from the civil aviation authorities of the Philippines and Malaysia inked the agreement at the CAAP Office in Pasay City on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

“This initiative ensures an efficient response to saving people and property in imminent danger involved in aeronautical accidents in both the Philippine and Malaysian Flight Information Regions,” CAAP Assistant Director General for Air Traffic Service Marlene Singson said.

CAAP recently partnered with another Southeast Asian country.

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Last November, the Philippine civil aviation authority partnered with a Thai firm to build three very-high frequency air-ground data link stations in Pampanga, Aklan, and Metro Manila.