Del Mars support move to build Cordova airport

Friday, December 9, 2011

THE planned transfer of the international airport to the Municipality of Cordova will gain the support of Rep. Rachel Marguerite del Mar (Cebu City, north) and her father, former congressman Raul del Mar.

This is because it will complement their proposed undersea tunnel, which the older del Mar proposed during the 13th Congress and the younger del Mar refiled last year.

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The undersea tunnel is aimed to ease traffic on land and to be an alternative route linking Cebu City to other areas and spur economic growth.

It is planned to stretch 500 meters long. There are no other specifics to the project.

But Raul said the aim of filing House Bill 4857 is for the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) to initiate a feasibility study on the project.

With the development that there are private entities interested in the sale of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) land, Raul said this could be part of the components of the study.

A third bridge linking mainland Cebu with Mactan Island is no longer feasible because it will disturb the sealanes, but the undersea tunnel is more updated.

If the airport will still be in Lapu-Lapu City, the undersea tunnel will be doable but there will be added infrastructure projects, including a coastal road and an express highway, so that travel to and from the airport with base point in Cebu City will only take 15 minutes.

If the airport will be in Cordova, the two highways are not needed anymore.

“We must always be open to future needs because progress is not stationary... But let’s not stop improving the airport as if there will be no transfer,” said Raul.

Rep. Del Mar said it is important to see the result of the study. She was newly appointed as one of the six spokespersons for the Liberal Party (LP) during its party last Monday night.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) was also offered the position of vice chairperson for the Visayas but he declined.

Rep. Del Mar said she is not privy to an LP ultimatum that seeks the reconciliation of Osmeña and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama or the national party will not be endorsing local candidates for the 2013 elections.

“I’m not familiar with that (but) BOPK (Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan) has been able to stand on its own and that is proven over the years,” said Rep. Del Mar.

Rep. del Mar and Rama have been at odds because of their opposing views on the flyover projects along M. J. Cuenco Ave. and Gorordo Ave.

Both were even called by President Benigno Aquino III to a meeting in Malacañang to talk about the flyover projects.

The del Mars have supported the flyover projects with Rachel Marguerite getting an appropriation of P600 million for the infrastructure projects.