Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia | CDN Digital File Photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu Provincial Government announced on Tuesday, February 2, that they will not require passengers arriving at Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to present letters of coordination upon entry.
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia told reporters in a press conference on Tuesday that the Capitol has never issued any formal directive, mandating passengers to present letters of acceptance from the Capitol and the local government unit (LGU) of their destination.
“There is no need for a letter of acceptance from Cebu province and the LGU of their destination, towns, and component cities of the province. In fact, the province welcomes them!” said Garcia.
Garcia also said the Capitol, together with airport officials, will be looking into reports that several individuals stationed at MCIA have misrepresented the provincial government by telling passengers they need letters of coordination from her and LGUs.
“I’m calling them for a meeting today (Tuesday, February 2) to answer why they misrepresented the province, why they misrepresented me. I first want to hear from them and upon whose orders they are acting,” she added.
There is an existing protocol issued by the Cebu City Government that orders all passengers arriving at MCIA from Metro Manila to present letters of acceptance released by their barangay of destination.
Garcia clarified that such orders are only meant for people bound for Cebu City.
“I was aghast… I did not sign any memo or EO (executive order) for passengers to go through tedious processes including a governor’s acceptance letter and the acceptance letter from the LGU,” explained Garcia.
She added that airport authorities have dismantled a booth and tables meant to screen province-bound passengers, and will be planning to put ‘notices of welcome’ around the airport. /rcg
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