Lapu wants hand in MCIA plan

THE Lapu-Lapu City Development Council is not trying to obstruct the proposed expansion of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), Mayor Paz Radaza said yesterday.

She said the council only wants to study the project carefully.

“Dili man ta rubber stamp lang. Gi-review nato kung unsay benefit ana sa syudad sa Lapu-Lapu (We are not just a rubber stamp. We are reviewing the project to see how it will benefit Lapu-Lapu City),” she said in a press conference.

Radaza said the council also considers the project’s impact on the City’s tax collection, given that the MCIA has unpaid real property and business tax amounting to P1.5 billion.

The City needs the amount to build more classrooms, since a portion of the tax will go
to the City’s special education fund, the mayor said.

“Tagaan lang unta sad nila ug pagtagad ang ilang bayronon (They should pay attention to their dues),” Radaza said.

Investment

The MCIA occupies nearly 800 has. of land.

The National Government will undertake a public-private partnership to build a P5.8-billion new passenger terminal building.

Before the National Economic Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee approves the project, it requires an endorsement from the Regional Development Council (RDC). The RDC, in turn, needs an endorsement of the city development council.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIA) has assured the City it will pay its obligations, but no payment has been made until now, Radaza said.

She said the council has asked the MCIAA to make a detailed presentation of the project, but no schedule has been set yet.