Andrew Acquaah-Harrison, Chief Executive Advisor GMR-MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
The new operator of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) terminal said it is investing almost $250,000 to install electronic passport or e-passport gates for Filpino travelers.
“We’re hoping that this will all be in place by December,” said Andrew Harrison, chief executive advisor of GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. during yesterday’s 888 News Forum.
The e-gates for Filipino passengers will be the first of its kind in an aiport in the country. Passengers only need to scan their passports on a card reader and stand back to have their pictures taken and read by facial recognition software.
“You won’t need to face immigration officers to have your passport stamped,” said Harrison.
GMR-Megawide is set to take over passenger terminal operations on Nov. 1.
Harrison said the company worte to the Bureau of Immigration offering to to provide the e-gates system at no cost to the government. The BI approved it but will decide all technical requirrements.
“We’re providing this as a feature for Filipinos travelling out or returning,” he said.
“We think it’s important that when you’re coming home, you feel a sense of welcome and differentiation.”
Foreign nationals would still have to go through the normal immigration process but Harrison assured the process will be “much faster” when GMR-Megawide puts in improvements.
He said the company has 92 percent of its staff requirement filled up. Current employees in the airport were assured that no one would be displaced during the takeover.
This was confirmed by Harrison who said they have a list of 94 employes involved in operations of Terminal 1.
“We offered them to work with us. Only 46 of them expressed intent to work for us. We understand that because it’s not just an individual but a family decision,” he said.
After Nov. 1, the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority will still be around to oversee and monitor GMR-Megawide’s adherence to the concession agreement in the rehabilitation of Terminal 1.