Villarete assumes Mactan airport post

CEBU, Philippines – Newly-installed Mactan Cebu International Airport general manager Nigel Paul Villarete yesterday said transparency will prevail at the airport, and at the same time authorize department heads and division managers to release information to the media.

Villarete said he will allow department heads and division heads to be interviewed by the media.

He said he will assess operations and activities to improve collection and provide good service to airport users.

Villarete said no major changes will be introduced.

He said controversial activities allegedly involving previous officials of the airport are now in the hands of the Office of the Visayas Ombudsman.

"Duna na man nag-imbestigar sa ubang mga kalihukan sa airport, ato na lang na huwaton ang sa Office of the Visayas Ombudsman," Villarete said.

He said he needs the support and cooperation of the division heads and department managers.

For his part, Ahmed Cuizon, manager of the public affairs department welcomed Villarete's decision to allow division chiefs and department heads to release information to the media.

Villarete's assumption of office was witnessed by Department of Transportation and Communication Secretary Jose De Jesus last Tuesday.

He was endorsed by former Cebu City mayor and now South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

His appointment was approved by the members of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority Board in a special meeting held in Manila last week.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia failed to attend the meeting because she was out of the country at that time. (FREEMAN)