P83 million spent for runway repair

The Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority has spent P83.4 million for the repair of the dilapidated runway reported earlier to have caused the explosion of airplane tires.

MCIA general manager Adelberto Yap said that the repair includes a number of projects, such as asphalt overlaying and the installation of centerline lights. The repair of the 3.3-kilometer-by-45-meter runway was undertaken by Socor Construction, he added.

Airline operators and businessmen in Cebu welcomed this development. Two years ago, officials of the Philippine Air Lines complained that the dilapidated runway of the Mactan airport allegedly caused explosion of some of its aircraft's tires.

Other than PAL, representatives of the Mactan Airline Operators Association composed of Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Southeast Asian Airlines, and other airline companies shared in this sentiment and raised a complaint before Yap and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia said that a speedy repair of the runway must be undertaken citing the increase in the arrival of foreign tourists using the airport.

Garcia added that the problem on the dilapidated runway caused inconvenience to the flying public and posed a question on the safety of passengers aboard the aircraft using the facility. - Jose P. Sollano