Francia is new MCIAA chief

President Arroyo yesterday endorsed Gen. Danilo Francia as the next general manager of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority.

Arroyo already signed the appointment of Francia to take the position vacated by Yap.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who is also a member of the MCIAA board, yesterday revealed Arroyo has picked Francia as the next GM to replace ousted airport manager Adelberto Yap in view of questionable airport transactions he had entered into.

Garcia said the board already requested the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation-7 to include Yap in their watchlist of individuals barred from leaving the country.

Although it was an unwritten rule, the MCIAA board, which is the policy-making body of the airport authority, will automatically appoint anyone who is endorsed by the President as the next airport manager "out of courtesy" to her.

The governor pointed out the appointment of Francia will no longer be endorsed to the Civil Service Commission for approval in relation to the third level career service eligibility requirement for the said position.

Garcia said they will no longer be at loggerheads with CSC as regards to the matter because CSC director David Cabanag already expressed his intention to discuss with the MCIAA board on the matter.

The board has yet to meet Francia, but the governor is glad to hear of his performance and track record as chief executive officer of the Clark Development Authority in Pampanga. - Cristina C. Birondo