2 airport projects in Cebu inaugurated

CEBU, Philippines —  The extended taxiway and the administration building of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) were inaugurated yesterday.

The taxiway with an area of 57,513 square meters is expected to increase passenger traffic and aircraft movement in the general aviation area of the MCIA. Also, it will accommodate wide-body aircraft in preparation for future expansions.

The two-story CAAP building, on the other hand, houses various facilities of the agency.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, who led the inauguration, said the new taxiway will ensure efficient and safe movement of aircrafts.

“Malaking bagay po ito to ensure that the movement of the aircraft that are travelling dito po sa Mactan Cebu International Airport ay nagiging mas maluwag, mas safety at mas kaaya-aya,” Tugade said in his speech.

With the P223.7 million expansion, Mactan Cebu International Airport acting general manager Atty. Glenn Napuli said the new taxiway can accommodate 50 aircraft movements per hour from 35.

DOTr said MCIA flight operations are seen to become more vibrant as aircraft turnaround will be faster, and bigger airplanes can be accommodated, translating to a more robust travel and tourism for Cebu and the Visayas region.

“This will bring about a better economy, and is expected to create more employment and entrepreneurial opportunities,” it said in a statement.

Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Dino, who also graced the event, said the completion of the parallel taxiway will boost the efforts of making the Mactan Cebu International Airport a major regional hub.

“It will prove useful in optimizing the arrival and departure of aircrafts which we expect to increase over time,” he said in a speech.

He said MCIA plays a major role in Cebu’s stature as a major tourist and investment destination in the country.

As for the new building, Tugade said, it will enable aviation personnel to extend efficient service and to further provide comfort to its stakeholders.

The building sits within the airport complex.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director General Jim Sydiongco Sydionco also graced the inauguration of the MCIA’s new taxiway and CAAP administration building.

More Projects

Right after the inauguration, Tugade and other officials inspected the ongoing construction of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) corporate building.

The MCIA Authority believes that the proximity of the offices can improve the “quality and effectiveness of work” in line with today’s modern demands.

At present, Napuli said MCIAA offices and departments are scattered in different buildings.

The corporate building is set for inauguration on July 31, 2021.

Moreover, Napuli said the construction of the MCIA’s second runway is now 32 percent complete. The runway is expected to be inaugurated in February 2022.  — KQD (FREEMAN)