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Duterte inaugurates new ‘resort-like’ Mactan Cebu airport terminal


President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday led the inauguration of the newly built terminal of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Lapu-Lapu City.

Duterte unveiled the marker upon his arrival at the MCIA Terminal 2 and was given a tour of the facilities inside the airport.

He was accompanied in the tour by several Cabinet officials including secretaries Arthur Tugade (transportation), Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (tourism), and Alan Peter Cayetano (foreign affairs).

GMR Megawide Cebu started constructing the terminal building in June 2015.

The aim is to reduce congestion at the international airport and increase annual passenger capacity from 4.5 million passengers per year to 12.2 million.

According to the Presidential Communications Operations Office, the terminal showcases "beautiful curved wooden roof arcs with layered glass to allow natural sunlight to seep through the terminal."

"This sunlight then reflects on the floor tiles containing mother of pearls found in Cebu to create a gentle glimmer similar to sand, thus representing the ‘resort-feel’ look of the airport," it added. 

With a floor area of 65,000 square meters, more than twice the 27,000 minimum floor area under the concession agreement, the terminal is designed to increase the airport’s total handling capacity.

MCIA Terminal 2 will start commercial operations on July 1 catering to international flights. The existing Terminal 1 will handle domestic flights.

"By serving millions of passengers annually, this new facility will address the growing passenger demand in Metro [Cebu]," Duterte said in his speech.

"It will also promote tourism, stimulate commerce, and spur economic activities in the Visayas. Without doubt, this project will become a catalyst for inclusive countryside development in the region," he said. —MDM/NB, GMA News

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