DOTC Sec. Abaya Leads Ceremonial Concrete Pouring For Cebu Airport Terminal 2

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya led the ceremonial concrete pouring for the P17.5 billion passenger terminal building II of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) at the old site of the Philippine Air Force base in Lapulapu City yesterday.

Abaya said the activity signifies the completion of the government’s task under the public-private partnership (PPP) project as it shifts its role to being a regulator once the terminal is completed.

“The PPP is best exemplified and explained by showcasing the Mactan Cebu airport rather than go into technicalities. We should push for PPP projects,” said Abaya during a short program that followed the activity.

“Efficient transportation is a basic human right and supports major drivers of economic growth especially in the areas of tourism and agriculture,” stressed the transportation secretary.

Louie Ferrer, president of the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) that is undertaking the terminal project, bared that the facility occupies over 65,000 sq. m. and is expected to be finished by February of 2018.

The expansion will increase passenger capacity to 12 million annually from the current 4.5 million, he further said.

“This is actually the first PPP airport project. With this, we are building history,” said Ferrer.

This year alone, four new international flights will open from Cebu to Los Angeles, USA, Dubai via Clark, Taipei and Xiamen, said GMCAC Chief Executive Advisor Andrew Harrison strengthening the company’s goal of promoting Cebu as a regional hub to the rest of the world.

“The opening for additional flights this year will create more trade and employment opportunities for Cebu,” said Harrison while the construction of the terminal project within the next two years will generate around 3,000 jobs.

Abaya said once the world-class terminal II is completed, he expects the MCIA to rise and become the best airport in the region from its current rank of 18th best airport in Asia.

Meanwhile, Abaya said five new regional airports will soon be bidded out under the PPP structure.

These airports with an estimated cost of P106 billion are located in Panglao, Bohol; Bacolod; Iloilo; Davao; and in Laguindingan, Cagayan de Oro.

Seven well-known bidders are set to participate in the bidding of these five PPP regional airport projects, said Abaya. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)