"Cebu International Airport" better than "Lapu-Lapu City Int'l Airport"

CEBU, Philippines - To rename the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to Cebu International Airport is better than Lapu-Lapu City International Airport, according to Airport General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete.

Villarete said he is not really enthusiastic talking about renaming MCIA as earlier proposed by Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma Jr. as tribute to the first Filipino hero, Lapu-Lapu.

“If you insist on asking my preferences, my first preference is to change it simply to Cebu International Airport,” said Villarete during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza recently.

Villarete explained that Cebu is known worldwide and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Code of MCIA is CEB.

Cebu is one of the very few cities in the world wherein the IATA code is actually the name of destination while Manila (MNL) is one, said Villarete.

Villarete said that his second choice is to retain the name of MCIA.

“It has been there for so long, something through the years,” he said.

To rename MCIA was raised by Coloma, who heads the Presidential Communications Operations Office, during the 12th “Kadaugan sa Mactan” at the Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City when he was the guest of honor.

Coloma reportedly made the statement during a media interaction amid suggestion to make April 27 a permanent holiday in Lapu-Lapu City to celebrate the “Kadaugan sa Mactan.”

“Perhaps it is better to rename the airport and put the name of Lapu-Lapu to give him full honor and credit in fighting foreign invaders, rather than asking for a permanent holiday declaration every April 27,” Coloma was quoted as saying.

MCIA is a major international airport in the Visayas region located in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, Metro Cebu and is the country’s second primary gateway. The airport is managed by the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA).

The airport opened in the mid-1960s. It was built to replace the Lahug Airport, which could no longer be expanded due to safety and physical problems.

The airport was then expanded in its later years to become the current MCIA.

The airport is currently the second busiest in the country after Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport and serves as the country’s primary alternative gateway.  (FREEMAN)