House okays second runway at Mactan-Cebu Int’l Airport

CEBU, Philippines - The House of Representatives has approved the proposal to construct a second runway at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

A copy of the House Bill 1080 sponsored by Cebu City North District Representative Raul del Mar was immediately transmitted to the Senate.

Engineer Nigel Paul Villarete, MCIA general manager, expressed his gratitude to del Mar for taking the cudgels in Congress.

“A second runway in MCIA, even if only a close parallel dependent runway, is an inevitable requirement for future capacity expansion, and it needed the full political and institutional initiative and support graciously provided by Rep. del Mar, even as we initiate the basic technical and pre-investment studies on the ground necessary for this huge air transport infrastructure,” said Villarete.

 Villarete explained that the gestation period for this kind of project is quite substantial so project development should be done as early as possible.

 In increasing the Passenger Service Charge effective November 1, the MCIA recognizes the need to expand runway capacity in the future.

 While the present aircraft movement at peak hour is still less than half the single runway hourly capacity, Villarete said they can’t overemphasize the fact that air transport infrastructures are bulk investments that may take years, sometimes even decades, to pursue.

 “Thus, and in full support to the Congressional Bill filed by Cebu City First District Representative Raul del Mar, for the construction of a second runway, MCIA management has already initiated the necessary project development phases to ensure its earliest possible construction,” he said.

 Villarete said the required pre-investment studies will be started next year with the fullest intention of realizing the completion of this huge undertaking on or before 2020.

 In support to del Mar’s proposal, Villarete has reiterated his earlier request to the Department of Transportation and Communications for the Conduct of the Alternatives Study MCIA.

 “In fact this request goes beyond the need for the second runway but rather have a wider outlook on the future development horizon for MCIA, and includes the need to conduct master planning, feasibility study, investment programming and scheduling,” read Villarete’s letter dated September 1, 2014 addressed to DOTC assistant secretary for planning and finance, Sherielysse Bonifacio.

 The founder of the National Independent Travel Agencies and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia to the Philippines, Robert Lim Joseph, also welcomed the development saying it’s a long overdue.

“We have to use a part of the P14.4 billion deposited at MCIAA,” said Joseph referring to the premium paid by GMR-Megawide Consortium for the airport expansion project.

House Bill 1080 provides for the establishment and construction of a second runway at MCIA with its concomitant access taxiways and rapid exit taxiways, runway lighting systems, and navigational/landing equipment, and appropriating funds therefore.

 The bill provides that the DOTC, in coordination with the MCIA Authority, shall finance and conduct the studies and the formulation of the detailed engineering designs, standards and specifications of the proposed runway and other equipment and appurtenances needed.

 In filing HB No. 1080 on July 3, 2013, del Mar said MCIA has gone a long way since the time the MCIA Authority was created in 1990 up to the present.  (FREEMAN)