By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

The House of Delegates passed on first reading President Remengesau’s "Air Commerce Facilitation Act of 2007" during the 23rd day of the Ninth Regular Session on Wednesday Jan 31.
HB No. 7-159-9 is seeking to eliminate the requirement that foreign airlines obtain a Foreign Investment Approval Certificate.
It is also to adjust the qualification requirements for the Administrator of the Palau National Aviation Administration.
The bill is to be known as the "Air Commerce Facilitation Act of 2007."
In his transmittal letter to the HOD, Remengesau identified the bill’s two purposes, firstly, to remove Air Carriers from the purview of FIA.
The president said that this change would eliminate an extra layer of bureaucracy from the aviation industry at a time when the government is seeking to expand air service in the country.
The president noted that the Ministry of Commerce and Trade and from the Safety and Security perspective currently regulates airlines from an economic standpoint by the Palau National Aviation Administration.
He said that these regulatory bodies are sufficient to ensure that Air Carriers that are needed in Palau can fly here safely and securely.
The second element of this bill, the president noted, adjusts the qualifications of the Administrator of the PNAA.
The current law requires the Administrator to have a four-year college degree but does not require that he or she had any experience in the industry.
"I believe that a decade experience in aviation is at least equivalent to a college degree, and I proposed to amend the law to reflect this," the president said.
Any appointment will be subject to the consent of the Senate, which the president believes would give little chance for an unqualified Administrator to be appointed.
"I support this change in the qualifications not only because it makes sense but because it will allow me to nominate a very qualified Administrator to take over the PNAA.
Joe Ise is the current Acting Administrator, who worked for Continental Airlines for 15 years and whom the president said has the knowledge, experience and understanding of the airline industry to be an exceptional Administrator.
The president said that during Ise’s term, he has moved the PNAA forward in all aspects of its jurisdiction.
However, the president noted that the country was unable to utilize his expertise since he does not have a four-year college degree.
The president said he believes that this is a problem that could be remedied.