Mactan airport runway set for repair

CEBU, Philippines - Newly-appointed Mactan-Cebu International Airport general manager Steve Dicdican said that the airport's existing runway (landing and takeoff) will undergo repair one to two months from now.

Dicdican, who officially assumed his post yesterday, said that within the duration of the repair, the airport will not be totally closed.

"It would be detrimental to the economy if the airport will be closed. Maybe it will be closed for at least four hours (a day) but we will be looking for solutions to lessen the time," said Dicdican in a press conference after the oathtaking.

He said the runway was initially scheduled to be repaired April next year.

 However, since the repair is urgent and should have been, in fact, done "yesterday," this will be undertaken months earlier, he added.

He said that many airline companies have complained as their airplanes have suffered wear and tear due to the damaged runway.

MCIAA is also planning to build a three-kilometer second runway with an estimated budget of P2 billion, according to Dicdican.

 Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino said they expect the second runway to be built within the Duterte administration.

 Meanwhile, newly-appointed Cebu Port Authority general manager Angelo Verdan said he will review all the documentations of the proposed international port in Tayud, Consolacion to come up with a good decision since up to now, it has no design yet.

Verdan, the CPA manager from 2006 to 2010, said in the same press conference that he still has to know the ongoing programs or projects of the agency as he just assumed office.

 Dino expects that both officials will implement the projects for the good of the people and in "Duterte speed."

Aside from Verdan, lawyer Joselito Pedaria, former Liloan Vice Mayor Duke Frasco and Allan Alfon took their oath of office as CPA commissioners before San Roque, Cebu City barangay captain Cyrus Lindog.

 Aside from Dicdican, lawyer Annabel G. Pulvera-Page, lawyer Deolito Alvarez and Julius Garcia Neri took their oath of office as new MCIAA board of directors from the private sector before barangay captain Isabelito Darnayla of Basak, Lapu-Lapu City. (FREEMAN)