THE House committee on transportation in the House of Representatives has approved the bill sponsored by all Cebuano congressmen renaming Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Lapu-Lapu Cebu International Airport.
In effect, it will amend Republic Act 6958, which created the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, authored by Rep. Raul V. Del Mar (Cebu City, north district) and which took effect in 1991.
The sponsors of the bill are Representatives Del Mar, Aileen C. Radaza (Lapu-Lapu City), Rodrigo Abellanosa (Cebu City, south district), Gerard Anthony Gullas Jr. (1st district), Wilfredo Caminero (2nd district), Gwendolyn Garcia (3rd district), Benhur Salimbangon (4th district), Red Durano (5th district), Jonas Cortes (6th district) and Peter Calderon (7th district).
The sponsors said that this is to honor Lapu-Lapu, who repelled Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan. It is also apt since the airport is located in Lapu-Lapu City.
Del Mar said they are running out of time though. They had to pass the bill quickly because the National Historical Commission was predisposed to renaming the airport to Lapu-Lapu International Airport, excluding the word “Cebu” in it.
“We will have to approve it in the second and third reading in the House, but I doubt if we can have it done in the Senate. But the important thing is that we were able to state our strong position in including the word Cebu,” Del Mar said.
However, Adelino Sitoy, presidential adviser on legislative affairs and head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, is strongly opposing the bill, which he described as an attempt to ease out Cordova from the glory of the name “Mactan.”
“Dinawo man nang ila (They are being selfish),” Sitoy said.
Sitoy said he will request President Rodrigo Duterte to veto it. If the House of Representatives will pass it, God forbid, he will appear before the Senate to urge the senators to junk it because that is an act of selfishness.
Sitoy said the word “Mactan” is a historical name because it is known worldwide. Lapu-Lapu was only a small chieftain in Barangay Punta Engaño. The people of Cordova are proud to be part of Mactan.
“Cordova is even prohibited by law to build high-rise buildings because airplanes will pass the town during landing and take-off, yet dili mi i-apil (we are not included)?” Sitoy said.
Sitoy warned Congress not to pass this bill, which was not introduced to the Cebuanos for public hearing.
Sitoy said Congress should respect the Cordovahanons by conducting a public hearing. That’s why lawmakers are called “representatives,” because they are supposed to represent the people in their respective districts. EOB