Tuesday, December 05, 2006 MIP lounge in Mactan opens
WHILE the Cebu International Convention Center drew criticism, the Most Important Persons (MIP) Lounge at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport was inaugurated without fuss yesterday morning.
The MIP Lounge is where the heads of state will be welcomed and entertained during arrivals and departures.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said that unlike the CICC, which had been harshly criticized and attacked by some individuals while under construction, the MIP Lounge was quietly finished in 57 days.
“To finish this on time is commendable, which is something the Cebuanos can be proud of,” said Garcia, an MCIAA board member.
Garcia said that less than a year ago, President Arroyo announced that the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit will be held in Cebu.
She said it was a daunting and formidable challenge and the Cebuanos readily accepted it because Cebu is the “premier province” in the country.
Great challenge
The building is a manifestation of hard work and seriousness of the Cebuanos in hosting the international summit, Garcia said.
“To all of us, we are ready (for the Asean summit) because we are Cebuanos who want to accept a great challenge,” Garcia said.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) assistant general manager Romeo Bersonda said the building was constructed at a cost of P46.3 million, while the furniture and fixtures are worth P3.5 million.
The decorations of the building were done by Cebuano artists and sculptors, said MCIAA public affairs manager Ahmed Cuizon. He identified the furniture suppliers as Detalia Aurora, Kirsten International Corp. and Giardini del Sole.
The others who attended the inauguration were MCIAA general manager Danilo Augusto Francia, Police Regional Office 7 Director Silverio Alarcio Jr. and Maj. Gen. Horacio S. Tolentino of Tactical Operations Command under the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Facilities
Francia said the MIP Lounge has three VIP rooms, one presidential suite, one press conference room and a media center.
An x-ray machine is installed at its side fronting the tarmac to be manned by the Presidential Security Group during the summit.
An area for CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) is being allocated near the door.
Bureau of Immigration Supervisor Casimiro Madarang III said he will lead three teams that will be stationed at the CIQ 24 hours a day.
Bureau of Quarantine Officer Joy Pogoy, for her part, said they just want to be sure that no foreign guest is suffering from quarantinable disease.
Angelito Gallito, Bureau of Customs Port of Mactan deputy collector for airport services, said baggage of foreign guests will be cleared in one minute when it passes the CIQ.
Francia said that after the Asean Summit, the MIP Lounge, which was funded by the National Government, can be used as a venue for Cabinet meetings and drop-off points for national officials. (EOB)
