CEBU CITY – Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade is pushing for an earlier completion of the second runway that is being constructed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
“It is our job to make sure that construction of the second runway will be completed by May 2022 and even earlier as stated in the contract. This is why we are here. There should be no delays and no corruption,” Tugade said in a statement Thursday.
Tugade visited MCIA on Wednesday for a site inspection, where he met with airport officials and inspected the progress of upgrade works being done at the key air gateway in the Visayas region, including the ongoing construction of the taxiway, second runway and other facilities of the airport.
He discussed with officials from the MCIA Authority and the Philippine Japan Airport Consultants (PhilJACS) the adjustments needed to be made in the construction schedule to have the airport’s second runway completed and operational earlier than its original May 2022 target date of completion.
Tugade stressed the important role the MCIA plays in the country’s transport sector, particularly now that Filipinos face the challenges being posed by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
He said the addition of the second runway will make the transport and movement of resources needed to combat the coronavirus disease faster and more efficient.
The MCIA is the country’s second largest airport and second busiest air hub in the Philippines.
As part of the airport’s upgrade works, the MCIAA has completed the rehabilitation and improvement of the General Aviation Terminal Building, extension of the existing Aircraft Parking Apron, as well as the construction of the Transportation and Heavy Equipment Division, Maintenance Road and Secondary Perimeter Fence.
The DOTr team also inspected the multi-purpose hall of the airport, which was built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to serve as the evacuation facility of the MCIA.
Tugade told the airport officials here that he will visit the airport again for the inauguration of these projects. (PNA)
