DOT lauds MCIA for winning global architecture award

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has lauded the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) for bagging the top prize in the Completed Buildings-Transport Category at the World Architecture Festival in The Netherlands.

“With Mactan being the second busiest international airport in the Philippines, this architecturally astounding building serves as an important gateway to the Philippines,” the DOT said in a statement.
The terminal was designed by the Hong Kong-based architectural firm Integrated Design Associates with support from Budji+Royal and Kenneth Cobonpue. It was constructed by the consortium of Megawide Corp. and India’s GMR Group.

“Among its strengths are its simple elegance, its innovative use of both foreign and locally sourced materials, and its oneness with its surroundings,” the DOT said.

“The building’s roof is meant to represent the ocean, while its expansive and exposed internal structure reminds one of the hull of a boat; its brightness and openness of space, deeply symbolic of the Filipinos’ welcoming nature,” it added.

The MCIA Terminal 2 was inaugurated in June 2018.

“I am in agreement with President Duterte when he said that with its elegance and resort-like feel, the gateway (MCIA) dubbed as the only ‘Resort Airport in Asia,’ is definitely the most beautiful airport in the country today,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said.

“This new gateway connects Cebu not only to the entire Philippines but to the world. The MCIA is the reason why our visitors have better access to the pristine beaches and a whole lot of fun activities that Cebu has to offer,” Puyat added.

“Beyond the nice wood, the glass, the concrete, the airport really is a physical symbol of confidence in the market and in the destination. It’s a physical symbol of the confidence of the aviation community, the travel trade, and what Cebu has to offer,” Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. earlier said.

In March, DOT, along with the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority hosted the Routes Asia conference, which gathered major stakeholders in the regional aviation industry.

Over 800 delegates, 100 airline executives, 20 airports representatives, and 30 tourism authorities took part in the annual Conference.