Developers to spend P20B more for MCIA

CEBU, Philippines - Above the P14.4 billion upfront premium it paid to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, the GMR-Megawide Consortium will be spending around P20 billion to develop the airport.

Andrew Acuaah-Harrison, GMR deputy chief executive officer, said the cost includes the construction of the MCIA Terminal 2 building and the redevelopment of the existing terminal.

“The reason we submitted that high is a demonstration of the confidence we have in the airport and in the economy and its potential to grow,” Harrison said during the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza yesterday.

GMR-Megawide emerged as the highest bidder for the airport expansion project after submitting a bid of P14.4 billion.

Department of Transportation and Communications and MCIAA officials signed the Concession Agreement with GMR-Megawide following receipt of the payment last April 4, 2014.

MCIAA is set to turn over airport operations and maintenance to GMR-Megawide in October this year. Construction of the new passenger terminal building is slated in January 2015 and is scheduled to be completed in three years or by January 2018.

Harrison pointed out that even before the start of the project, the terms and conditions are clearly defined, including the regulations of fees to be collected.

 â€œIf we invest it means there is growth. If there is growth, that means the economy is prospering. If the economy is prospering, it means there will be a return of our investment,” Harrison said.

“We will invest the necessary amount that is required to ensure that we meet the growth and we provide facilities which ensure that it is among the top performing airports in the world in terms of service standards and amenities,” he added.

Harrison reiterated that their primary objective is to market Cebu to the rest of the world and to ensure that tourism in the region grows with excellent and efficient airport facilities as an economic engine for growth.

The Terminal 2 building is expected to accommodate 28 million passengers by the time it is completed.

“We want to develop an airport that will have the capacity to take international traffic directly into Cebu and distribute the traffic throughout the rest of the region,” Harrison said.

He assured again that operations at the existing airport terminal will not be disrupted during renovation.

The consortium’s proposed design for the new terminal at MCIA is a modern expression of traditional Filipino architecture and imbibes the cultural ethos of Cebu without sacrificing efficiency.

Harrison also stressed they are not bringing foreign workers except a handful of specialists during the transition phase.

He said they are going to develop skills and capability of the Filipino people who have contributed to the improvement of the economy of other countries.

“We will work together to ensure the airport capacity is developed to meet the demand,” said Harrison. —/JMO (FREEMAN)