General authority and responsibility.
Section 6
SEC. 6. General authority and responsibility.—Subject to the general control and supervision of the Secretary, the Director of Aeronautics is charged with the responsibility and vested with the authority to carry out the purposes and enforce the provisions of this Act, and the rules and regulations issued hereunder; and he shall have, among others, the following specific powers and duties: Designation and establishment of civil airways.—To designate and establish civil airways, acquire, construct, operate, and maintain along such airways all necessary emergency and intermediate landing fields and other air navigation facilities utilizing the equipment, supplies, materials and assistance of existing agencies of the Government, so far as practicable. Research and experimentation.—To conduct research and experimentation regarding the possibility of aircraft construction and the use of Philippine products in such construction. Public use of Government air navigation facilities.—Except as otherwise herein expressly provided, to make available for public use, under such conditions and to such extent as he may deem advisable, all civil air navigation facilities, owned or operated by the Philippine Government, or any subdivision thereof: Provided, however, That no exclusive right shall be given for the use of any civil airway, airport, emergency landing field, or other air navigation facility under his jurisdiction. Publication of aeronautical bulletins.—To publish from time to time, whenever he may deem it advisable, a bulletin setting forth such matters relating to aeronautics including air navigation treaties and laws, and regulations and decisions thereunder. Acquisition of aircraft and air navigation facilities.—To acquire and operate such aircraft and air navigation facilities as may be necessary for executing the duties and functions prescribed by this Act. Exchanging aeronautical information with foreign government.—To foster the development of aviation by exchanging with foreign governments information pertaining to civil aviation, and by such other means as may be consistent with the provisions of this Act. Investigation of accidents.—To investigate accidents in civil air navigation in the Philippines, including the attending facts, conditions and circumstances, and for that purpose the Director, or any officer or employee of the Bureau of Aeronautics, designated by him in writing for the purpose, is authorized to hold public hearings in such places or at such times he shall deem practical, and for the purpose of such hearings, administer oaths, examine witnesses, require the preservation of evidence and issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses books, or the production of books, papers, documents, exhibits or other evidence, or the taking of depositions before any designated individual competent to administer oaths. Witnesses summoned or whose depositions are taken shall receive the same fee and mileage as witnesses in the Court of First Instance. All evidence taken at the hearing shall be recorded and forwarded to the Director. At the conclusion of the investigation or hearing on any such accident, or as soon thereafter as circumstances permit, the Director shall make a complete report thereof to the Secretary, who shall, if he deems it in the public interest, make a statement of the probable cause or causes of the accident, except that when the accident has resulted in serious or fatal injury, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to make public such statement. Neither any such statement nor any report of such investigation or hearing, nor any part thereof shall be admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in any suit or action growing out of any matter referred to in any such statement, investigation, hearing or report thereof. Issuance of permits and licenses.—To issue permits licenses to persons duly and legally qualified and entitled thereto, according to the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made and issued hereunder, provided that permits and licenses to engage in air commerce shall be issued only by the Secretary of Public Works and Communications with the approval of the President of the Philippines. Examination and rating of civilian aviation schools.—To provide for the examination and rating of civilian aviation schools giving flying and ground instruction, as to the adequacy of the course of instruction, as to the suitability and airworthiness of the equipment, and as to the competency of the instructors. The examinations and ratings provided for in this subsection shall only be made upon request of the owners or representatives of the air navigation facilities or schools. Promulgation of rules and regulations.—To issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary or proper to effectuate the purposes and enforce the provisions of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall have the same force and effect as though they were written herein, and shall pertain to, among other matters: The design, structural modification, repair and air-worthiness of aircraft, aircraft power plant, and accessories, and parachutes used in connection with such aircraft; The examination and rating of airmen; The examination and rating of airlines engaged in air commerce and the establishment of minimum safety standard for the operation thereof; The establishment of aircraft rules; The issuance, suspension, cancellation and revocation of licenses for aircraft and airmen.