CEBU, Philippines - Airport officials and representatives from the different national government and law enforcement agencies met in Lapu-Lapu City as part of the safety evaluation measures in preparation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting here next year.
Anthony Maurice Houston, team leader of the APEC for safety operations and infrastructure in Asia-Pacific region, said that the safety evaluation will be the basis for administering further measures to ensure safe airport situation.
Although no information on the initial results of their evaluation was revealed, officials said that they will do further assessment and possible recommendation.
Houston also cited the support and cooperation of the different sectors for Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
MCIA general manager Nigel Paul Villarete said that the evaluation is important to them not only because of the incoming APEC summit but also for daily airport operations.
Villarete said that the safety of the airport is their main concern everyday considering that the hosting of the APEC summit next year is drawing near. He added that the airport plays an important role for Cebu's development with the increasing number of tourists each year.
Major general Artemio Orozco, chief of staff of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said that they will get involved all the sectors operating at the airport.
Houston, on the other hand, said he once visited Mactan airport before and noticed that it's (positively) different now. (FREEMAN)