Cebu City Is Creating A Platform For A Tourism Booster
This was the emphatic remark delivered by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade, during the inauguration of the MCIA’s new Corporate Building earlier today, 28 October 2021.
The six-story building, which has modern equipment and facilities, houses MCIAA employees in a single place. It is envisaged to bring much-improved service, accessibility, and convenience to the agency’s clients. It also has passageways, which are linked to the terminal buildings, to steer clear of crossing vehicle lanes.
During the event, Secretary Tugade emphasized the long-term opportunities and benefits that await, not just for the air-riding public alone, but also for the businessmen around the globe.
As we improve the existing airport and the terminal, as we add second runways for the MCIA, we are telling the whole world: ‘Come to Cebu. It is a place for business’, Secretary Tugade said.
Apart from this, Secretary Tugade also set forth the developments of other gateways in the province, such as the Bantayan Airport, Camotes, and the Medellin Airport.
“Nakita ko ‘yung mga paliparan na matagal ko nang itinutulak—‘yung paliparan na tinatawag nating Bantayan Airport—‘yung community airport. From what it was to 20 meters, ginawa nating 30 meters para dumami pa ang mga eroplanong makaka-landing dito. Matatapos ‘yung widening at magiging operational ang Bantayan Airport sa Abril 2022 at the latest, para ma-experience ng mas marami pang sambayanan at turista ang Bantayan,” Secretary Tugade said.
He added, “Tututukan ko ang pag-umpisa ng airport sa Camotes Island at Medellin. Tatapusin ko ‘yan. Makikipagtulungan ako upang mabigyang buhay ang paguumpisa at pagtatapos ng mga airport na ito.”
Secretary Tugade also conveyed his utmost gratitude to Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) General Manager Julius Neri Jr., for the exemplary hard work, commitment, and determination he manifested, for the fruition of the projects.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan expressed his message of gratitude and support for the successful realization of the projects in Cebu, including the ongoing ones, and those that are in the pipeline, he underlined the vital role of the projects at MCIA, in the province’s tourism and economy.
“Malaking tulong ito sa Lapu-Lapu City, with this second runway. You know, Mactan Cebu International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Philippines, kaya itong development na ito—sigurado ako na maraming mga turista na magpupunta pabalik dito sa aming lugar,” Mayor Chan said.
Prior to the formal inauguration, Secretary Tugade, along with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the MCIAA, conducted an inspection of the progress of the airport’s second runway, and its command center.
