In charters of MCIA, CPA: Garcia seeks amendments

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu north district congressional candidate, former mayor Alvin Garcia, will move to amend at least two laws authored by his opponent, incumbent Representative Raul del Mar, if elected in the 2016 elections.

These are Republic Act No. 6958 which was approved on July 31, 1990 which created the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority and RA No. 7621 signed on June 26, 1992 which created the Cebu Port Authority.

Garcia said the two charters should be amended to include the mayor of the City of Cebu in the governing board.

“I want to basically be a legislator, I will not concentrate on infrastructure like flyovers,” said Garcia.

Garcia said the income from the CPA should be used to dredge the port and clear out the squatters instead of being brought to Manila.

Regarding the P14.4 billion premium paid by GMR-Megawide to expand the MCIA Terminal 2 which is now deposited at the national treasury, Garcia said he will leave it to his cousin, Winston Garcia, who wants the funds returned to Cebu if elected governor.

Del Mar could not be reached for comment as of last night.

However, Del Mar already urged the Department of Transportation and Communications and the MCIAA to fast track the establishment of the airport’s second runway.

Del Mar filed House Resolution No. 2236 directing the DOTC and MCIAA to proceed with the project utilizing as fund source and financing the P14.4 billion premium remitted by GMR-Megawide consortium relative to the awarding of the construction of the new MCIA Passenger Terminal Building.   Another measure Alvin said he will strongly push for in Congress is the creation of the Metro Cebu Development Authority which the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board is now crafting.

Garcia said this will give a coordinated solution to traffic and garbage problems in Metro Cebu.

The proposed body will cover the towns of Liloan, Consolacion, Compostela, Cordova, San Fernando, and Minglanilla and the cities of Danao, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga, and Carcar.

The MCDA shall formulate, regulate medium and long term plans, policies and programs for Metro Cebu.

Meanwhile, Garcia stressed he has nothing against Del Mar in running for the position which the latter has held for most of the past three decades.

Garcia and Del Mar have also been allies in politics but Garcia started on another path after his relationship with former mayor Tomas Osmeña turned sour and they ran against each other for mayor in 2004.

Garcia lost to Osmeña and formed another group. Since 2013, Garcia has been supporting Mayor Michael Rama who has also became Osmeña’s rival. 

Garcia is running under Team Rama in the 2016 elections with his son, Kamputhaw Councilman Raymond Alvin Garcia, who is also running for city councilor in the north district.

“I feel the Team Rama is very strong force to reckon with. Let us give a straight ticket,” Alvin added. —/BRP (FREEMAN)