BIGGER AIRPORT BY 2018

GROUNDBREAKING OF THE MACTAN CEBU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TERMINAL 2. Groundbreaking for the construction of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2, marks the beginning of its expansion. Graced by His Excellency Beningo S. Aguino III (fifth from right). (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

Aquino chides critics: P14.4 billion will go to nat’l treasury, not Liberal Party

Groundbreaking of Mactan ‘resort airport’ to benefit tourism, economy

President Benigno Aquino III yesterday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Mactan airport terminal that will be completed in June 2018, after a five-month delay in getting started.

With his term winding up next year, Aquino took pride in laying a time capsule and shoveling cement to kick off construction of the terminal, centerpiece of a P17.5-billion Mactan Cebu International Airport upgrading project.

As the first airport public-private partnership (PPP) project awarded by the Aquino administration, he cited its major role in bringing in tourists and creating more jobs upon its completion in 2018.

“For every tourist arrival, more than $1,000 goes into our economy,” Aquino said in his speech, which he delivered in Filipino at the airport’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) lounge.

A second international terminal will be built and the existing one will be renovated.

GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. had paid a P14.4-billion premium for the 25-year concession right to undertake the project.

In his speech, Aquino described as “very insulting” allegations that the ruling Liberal Party would use the P14.4-billion premium payment to boost its campaign kitty.

He said the money will eventually go to the National Treasury and it is only Congress that has the right to determine how to use the money.

“By the time Congress decides, (the 2016) elections will have long been over,” he said.

He was referring to criticism raised by former Cebu Gov. Emilio Osmeña who wrote him in June. (See table on this page.)

“Talagang nakakainsulto iyon dahil unang-una, meron ba tayong kilalang magnanakaw na sasabihin niya kung ano ang nanakawin niya bago niya nakawin?

“At pagkatapos noon, tukuyin po n’yo, aamin na nakawin at sana magtatagumpay pa rin kami. Magnanakaw na raw ho ‘yung partido namin, tanga pa. Sobra namang insulto ho yata talaga ‘yun,” said Aquino.

“Pero ganoon talaga ang buhay, lulunukin ko na lang ho.”

(First of all, is there a thief who says ahead what he will steal before he actually steals it? And then later admits it, and hopes the party will win? So our party is already labeled a thief and stupid as well? That’s really insulting. But that’s life, I will just have to swallow that.)

Aquino said he will do all he can to leave the nation in a better position as his term ends. He also thanked the Cebuanos for supporting him in the 2007 and 2013 elections.

READ: More spacious airport terminal 2

FACILITIES

Construction of a new international terminal, also known as T2, and an apron will be completed in three years, or in June 2018.

An additional 100 flight check-in counters with touch screens will be set up to bring the total to 149.

“This will result in bigger space and more efficient operations at the airport,” Aquino said.

The new terminal will provide additional annual capacity of 8 million passengers and bring the airport’s total capacity to 12.5 million, expandable to 15 million passengers a year.

There will be 20 additional aircraft parking stands with aerobridge, 13 bus parking stands and more than 550 private vehicle parking stands . A link-bridge will connect the existing terminal, which will become entirely domestic, and the new international terminal.

At an estimated cost of P17.52 billion on top of the P14.4-billion premium, the airport project is one of two big-ticket projects awarded to Cebu under the Aquino administration.

The other is the P10-billion Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, which is undergoing detailed engineering studies.

GMR-Megawide president Louie Ferrer said they aim to deliver the new terminal in the summer of 2018. Then they will renovate the first terminal to make it look and function like T2.

LANDMARK

GMR Group chairman Grandhi Rao said the Mactan airport is expected to become a landmark, “not just of Cebu City but for the entire country.”

“This is just the beginning. It will definitely become the icon of Cebu City,” he said.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said the Mactan airport will be the first airport in the Philippines to receive International Standards Organization (ISO) and Integrated Management System (IMS) certifications.

MCIA has been certified as the safest airport in the Philippines by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and was the first to be issued an Aerodrome certificate.

“To those who, for reasons only they understand, wish this project not to proceed, I say look beyond your personal interest. I urge you to look at what is good for Cebu, and I ask that we set aside petty differences and unite for the good of Cebu,” Davide said in his speech.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. and Transportation Undersecretary Jose Lotilla arrived with Aquino.

Airport general manager Paul Villarete said the P800-million Philippine Air Force (PAF) replication project is still ongoing and due to be completed by November 9 this year. PAF structures have to be replicated after being demolished to pave the way for the new terminal.