Cebu businessmen back Megawide on NAIA project

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry are rallying behindMegawideConstruction Corporation after the Manila International Airport Authority Board revokedthecompany’s original proponent status for the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

CCCI president Felix Taguiam in his letter dated December 15, 2020 addressed to Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said that Megawide has the credibility, experience, and the drive to deliver a topnotch airport.

Taguiam said that Megawide is the only company in the Philippines to design, engineer, construct new world-class international airport in 40 years and deliver a second terminal building, the Mactan Cebu International Airport and the Clark InternationalAirport New Passenger Terminal Building within budget and on time.

He said that the delivery of the new MCIA accelerated the transformation of Cebu into an international destination which sparked new economic growth beyond the airport.

“MCIA has been a keen source of pride for Cebu, the entire country, and for President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his administration,” Taguiam letter read.

He added that by facilitating tourism and trade, the NAIA rehabilitation will surely generate economic growth, and in effect provide more jobs and increase revenues from taxes.

“Exactly what Megawide delivered to Mactan-Cebu,” Taguiam said enjoining Tugade to support home-grown companies like Megawide and let them be a source of pride and joy for the country.

Taguiam further said that the NAIA rehabilitation project deserves a full support from the government, so Filipinos can ultimately have their long-awaited and much-deserved, world-class airport.

On the other hand, MCCI in a separate letter to House Committee on Transportation chairman and Samar First District Representative Edgar Mary Sarmiento, said that the organization vouch and confirm the role of Megawide in the MCIA rehabilitation.

“We confirm that Megawide worked diligently with the Cebuanos, to achieve the dream of having a world-class gateway to the world. The delivery of the new Mactan Cebu International Airport accelerated the transformation of Cebu into an international destinationwhich sparked new economic growth beyond the airport,” said MCCI president Steven Yu in his letter dated December 15,2020.

Yu added that MCCI conferred toMegawidethe award “Industry Catalyst of the Year” for “developing the key infrastructure to spur economic growth and driving industry to new heights.”

MCCI is a business support organization composed of close to 500 companies ranging from micro to large corporations located in Mandaue City, Cebu’s industrial hub.

“We are grateful for the overwhelming support we are receiving.This drivesMegawideto work harder and even more unstoppable in delivering world-class infrastructure the Filipinos deserve,”said Megawidechairman Edgar Saavedra in a statement.

Saavedra said that Megawideis still very much determined to continue working with the government to rehabilitate Metro Manila’s internationalgateway andwill submit a motion or letter for reconsideration soon.

“It is truly heart-warming to know thatMegawidehas contributed to uplift the local economy, most especially in improving the lives of our countrymen in Cebu – who are very close to the heart of our dear President Rodrigo Duterte,” Saavedra added. — GMR (FREEMAN)