Section 4. Creation of the Authority. —

There is hereby created an independent regulatory body with quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative powers and possessing corporate attributes to be known as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), hereinafter referred to as the "Authority", attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for the purpose of policy coordination. For this purpose, the existing Air Transportation Office created under the provisions of Republic Act No. 776, as amended, is hereby abolished.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Act shall diminish the powers and functions of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) as provided for under Republic Act No. 776, also known as "The Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines", as amended.

  1. Establishment of Authority Headed by a Director General — The Authority shall be headed by a Director General of Civil Aviation, referred to in this Act as the "Director General", who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines and shall be responsible for all civil aviation in the Philippines and the administration of this Act. The Director General shall be appointed based on the qualifications herein provided and shall have a tenure of office for a period of four (4) years. His appointment may be extended for another non-extendible term of four (4) years and shall only be removed for cause in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Civil Service Commission.

  2. Responsibility of the Director General — The Director General shall be responsible for the exercise of all powers and the discharge of all duties of the Authority and shall have control over all personnel and activities of the Authority.