Gateways as milestones

I was one of the many invited to witness the 35th year of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority. It was a reunion of some sort, from past and current officials in local governance to the many individuals who were part of the success of the airport. My memories of this passenger terminal are mixed. From goodbyes to welcomes and unwanted trips, it has truly stood the test of time for Cebuanos. I was also witness to the many milestones it had over the years.

I was a student then when there were many talks about who was the right private partner for the airport. The public-private partnership was a smart move to allow our gateway to be better than it was, allowing the government to focus more on operations. Adam Smith's division of labor allows for more economic progress and specialization of tasks that would result in optimum performance. When the bidding was sealed in 2014, we started to see major changes in the airport --ones that we had been longing for quite some time.

The aviation authority did not back down despite a seeming conflict when they were asked to move out of the terminal buildings. The winning bidder had other plans, and that did not include their office. On multiple occasions, I found myself in and out of a hotel office for talks with the general manager then. A few years later, they finally found a home nearby, a building that was capable of holding not just offices but their top-tier operations as well. Today, we see how working hand in hand has allowed our airport to become one of the best (if not the best) in the Philippines.

It is important to have gateways look at their best, as they are the face of a locality. Many times, I have always been proud of flying out from Cebu, especially when going to international destinations. Others are simply the bare minimum that could not deliver despite multiple complaints and issues. The airport is a symbol of status, progress, and our commitment to quality tourism. We are a nearer gateway to the south and a better entry point from other countries. We offer not just a good airport, but warm hospitality and top-notch food for our visitors. This is why I love being a Cebuana.

We look ahead to the next 35 years of our gateway and watch what it has to offer us. Our airport is the only one with two parallel runways, and talks of a third terminal are also being discussed. If that materializes, we won’t just be keeping up but we will be way ahead like we always are. This would mean more passengers, more jobs, and more opportunities for Cebu to shine on a global stage. But beyond infrastructure and flights, what excites me more is how this gateway brings Cebuanos closer to the world and brings the world closer to Cebu. So here’s to our airport --a symbol of how far we’ve come, and how far we’re still meant to go.