4 months ago
48
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
CEBU CITY — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the P2.55 billion alternate runway at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) on Thursday, Jan. 30.
The new parallel runway is expected to increase the airport's capacity by 25 percent and accommodate both domestic and international flights.
Set to operate alongside the main runway by 2028, the 2,600-meter airstrip would enable MCIA, the second-largest and busiest airport in the Philippines, to serve over 18 million passengers annually.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Presidential Communications Office photo
Marcos cited the airport's role in driving economic growth for Cebu and the entire Central Visayas region owing to its impact on connectivity and tourism.
"This milestone would not have been possible without the firm determination of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, the unwavering support of all the stakeholders, and the dedication of all the partners working together in concert and coming to this great achievement," the president said.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
The president described the inaugurated runway as part of the government's broader commitment to infrastructure development, as it is aligned with plans to upgrade 15 more airports nationwide under the P7.7 billion Aviation Infrastructure Program for 2025.
He added that the administration is focused on modernizing facilities, improving connectivity, and acquiring state-of-the-art navigational equipment.
"Through this program, we can construct, rehabilitate, and enhance runways, taxiways, ramps, control towers, passenger terminals, while at the same time acquiring state-of-the-art navigational equipment," Marcos said.
MCIA General Manager Julius Neri Jr. said the new runway, the first parallel runway in the Philippines, would allow simultaneous takeoffs and landings, increasing efficiency and reducing congestion.
The additional capacity would enable the airport to handle up to 40 aircraft movements per hour, compared to the previous 30.
Neri said that the new runway would serve as a backup in case of emergencies, maintenance, or repairs, to ensure that airport operations remain uninterrupted.
Neri stressed the importance of maintaining a smooth airport experience, particularly as Cebu continued to push growth in both local and international tourism.
With the completion of civil works in 2023, MCIA was finalizing the commissioning process to ensure compliance with regulatory standards before full operation by May 2025.
Once the alternate runway becomes fully operational, rehabilitation work on the original runway, built in 1966, will commence and is expected to last for a year.
During the inauguration, Marcos, accompanied by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, praised Cebu for its proactive approach to infrastructure development.
He remarked that Cebu, which has now completed its parallel runway ahead of similar plans in Manila, is once again taking the lead in aviation advancements.
As the second-busiest airport in the Philippines, MCIA recorded 11.3 million passengers in 2024, reflecting a 13 percent increase in domestic travelers and a 12 percent rise in international visitors.
Marcos also underscored the importance of public-private partnerships (PPP) in strengthening the country's aviation sector, citing the successful PPP initiatives at the Bohol-Panglao and Laguindingan International Airports.
He expressed confidence that projects like these would serve as key milestones in the country's journey toward a more modern and competitive airport infrastructure.
'Mactan airport runway upgrade to boost tourism'
The Department of Tourism (DOT) hailed the completion of the first parallel runway at MCIA, one of the country's key gateways in Cebu province.
"It will strengthen Cebu's position as a top tourist destination, cementing its standing as a premier gateway to the islands of Visayas and Mindanao, and boost tourism in Central Visayas by improving accessibility for international and domestic visitors," Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said in a statement on Sunday, Feb. 2.
An expanded runway will be vital for increasing aviation safety, allowing bigger aircraft, and optimizing airport operations.
It offers necessary space to facilitate safe takeoffs and landings, particularly during inclement weather, lowering the risk of accidents.
"Increasing flight frequencies and passenger capacity up to 18 million at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport through the parallel runway benefits all stakeholders in the aviation and tourism sectors, with added accessibility to our island destinations in Cebu, the Visayas, and Mindanao," said Frasco who joined the president during the launching on Thursday.
"This influx would not only bolster the local economy but also promote cultural exchange and foster greater global connectivity," she added.
"The new runway of the MCIA would also help in Cebu's potential to grow its tourism industry, especially in dive tourism and in the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) wherein the province currently thrives," Frasco said.
