MCIAA must solve overcrowding first

CEBU, Philippines - Capitol spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda considers a company’s interest to buy the Mactan-Cebu International Airport lot as a welcome development but he stressed that the current problem on overcrowding problem must be solved first before dealing with the interest of SM Prime Holdings to buy the 300-hectare lot.

“Maayo na. The idea is very noble, but doing the mechanics to make the idea into a reality is a whale of a challenge,” he said.

Sepulveda is spokesman for Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who is a member of the Mactan-Cebu Airport Authority’s board of directors. Sepulveda himself used to be the board’s legal counsel.

The MCIAA, he said, should thoroughly study the matter. He also asked why Cebu City Representative Tomas Osmeña is getting in the picture.

“Nga wa man siya’y labot. I believe the letter is addressed to (Nigel Paul) Villarete, naa lang tsismoso nakakuha sa letter,” Sepulveda said.

 Villarete is general manager of MCIA and used to work for Osmeña when he was still Cebu City mayor.

Sepulveda agrees with the plan to relocate the airport and build a “larger and more modern” airport in Cordova. Although, he said, the Korean International Cooperation Agency’s recent study projected that the airport can still accommodate the demands for 15 to 20 years from now.

“We leave it to those persons who know the problem and who has the expertise to address the problem,” he said.

SM president Hans Sy recently wrote the MCIA through Osmeña expressing interest to buy the lot.Sy said their payment may be used by the management of the international airport to fund the construction of a new international airport in Cordova.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza earlier said it would be best not to focus on the company’s proposal. She wants airport authorities to prioritize first on its unpaid taxes to the City.  (FREEMAN)