The importance of civil air transportation and the need to regulate it was long felt in our history. Hence, with the passage of Act. No. 3909 by the 9th Philippine Legislature, which was approved on November 20, 1931, the development and encouragement of civil aeronautics commenced. Under the said Act, the Secretary of Commerce and Industry was given the authority of administering and enforcing the provisions of the said law. On December 5, 1932, Act No. 3909 was amended by Act No. 3996, which created the Division of Aeronautics, is responsible for the administration of civil aviation under the general supervision of the Secretary of Public Works and Communications.