New MCIAA board members take oath

CEBU, Philippines – The four new members of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) Board took their oath of office yesterday before the secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Pericles Dakay, Francis Monera, Melanie Ng and Roger Lim took sit at the MCIAA Board as private sector representatives. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia recom-mended to President Benigno Aquino III that they sit at the board for four years.

"The news of the new PSRs was met with the much acceptance, very good acceptance from the public, they are well-respected, they are achievers in their own fields and they have shown in all the years a peer passion for Cebu truly admirable and daring," Garcia said in a press conference yesterday.

Dakay, an engineer and a contractor, currently sits as vice chairman of Mactan Cebu Bridge Management Board. Garcia said that by accepting the nomination is a sac-rifice in itself on Dakay's part because he could no longer participate in biddings at MCIAA.

The governor is optimistic that Dakay will bring to MCIAA his expertise in the construction industry in making decisions on projects for the airport.

Garcia is also optimistic that Lim, the president of Cebu Power Private Corporation and president and chief executive officer of East Asia Utilities will bring to the board his expertise in running huge institutions like MCIAA.

Meanwhile, Garcia said that Monera will bring to the board his expertise and experience in operations and management. Monera has been active in the business sector having served as president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and having held several positions in Cebu Holdings and Ayala Group of Companies. 

Ng, Garcia said, can also contribute largely in the management and operations of airport concessionaires with her experience as president of the Philippine Retailers Association and owner of an Information Technology firm.

"I am very positive about not only harmonious relationship but more importantly, for the airport and for Cebu, an effective and dynamic working relationship," Garcia said.

Meanwhile, MCIAA General Manager Danilo Francia will remain in his post until November this year until the board appoints a new general manager.

Garcia said Engr. Nigel Paul Villarete, Cebu City planning and development coordinator, has reportedly sought Aquino's endorsement to the position, but denied see-ing Villarete's letter.

"The reason why there is such a thing 'I desire' because it is not the President that appoints. He indicates his choice but the Board to appoint," the governor said.

She said that the board selects the general manager based on the qualifications provided by the MCIAA Charter.

The government representatives from the Department of Justice and the Department of Tourism, as well as the four new private sectors representatives reportedly share the same sentiment that "GM Francia has done a very good job with the MCIAA, very professional, competent and effective GM and that is why the MCIAA is listed amongst the top 3 out 350 GOCCs."

"We would wish for this to continue this kind of competent, professional and effective management of the airport," Garcia said. (FREEMAN)