OFFICIALS of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) are pushing towards their goal of turning Cebu’s only airport into the most passenger-friendly airport in Asia.
This was what Julius Neri Jr., MCIAA’s general manager and chief executive officer, said in his welcome address during the airport’s 32nd anniversary celebration held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on Monday evening, Aug. 1, 2022.
“As we celebrate our 32nd anniversary, we would like to send a message to everyone that being the best in the Philippines is not enough. We will not rest on our laurels but instead we will push forward towards our goal to have the most passenger friendly airport in Asia,” said Neri, as he asked for the cooperation of all the stakeholders as they move towards that goal.
He said he wanted the world to know that they are open for business, and they will also do their best to promote Cebu as the number one tourist destination in the country.
Managing MCIA during pandemic
Neri also mentioned how challenging it was for the MCIAA in the last two years amid the Covid-19 pandemic as they rely on travel, which was one of the many activities that were shut down due to restrictions that were imposed.
Rather than shrink and grovel, Neri said the MCIA is something that everybody from Cebu is very proud of since they decided to step up and find ways to improve and get ready for the reopening of the economy, resumption of flights and tourism industry.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco supported such endeavors, saying “Cebu, indeed, has the best airport in the Philippines and one of the best in Asia.” Frasco noted how MCIAA was able to operate amidst the pandemic and turned a challenge into an opportunity to develop and improve.
“Now the MCIAA shines brighter that it has ever been, positioned to welcome all travelers and clients from all over the world,” said Frasco, adding she expects to see more arrivals as the DOT aims to have multiple options when it comes to point of entry as the tourism industry heads towards recovery.
She noted that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will prioritize the full-speed improvement of the country’s infrastructure and transportation system, including the modernization of airports and seaports, to maximize the country’s position in Asia and the Pacific.
Frasco stressed that the DOT supports Marcos’ goal for the development of significant tourism infrastructure and the enhancement of gateway access to tourist sites.
MCIAA officials also presented special plaques of recognition to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, former Presidential Assistant for Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino, and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan as they acknowledged their contributions to the progress and development of MCIAA.