UN, logistics firm to train MCIA staff

CEBU, Philippines - The United Nations Development Program and international logistics company DHL will assist Mactan-Cebu International Airport personnel, as well as employees in different national government and offices, to become more effective in responding disaster and calamities.

MCIA general manager Nigel Paul Villarete said that the said training and seminar was supposedly scheduled in the middle of last year before earthquake and typhoon Yolanda hit Cebu, Bohol and Leyte.

Villarete admitted that they encountered problem after super typhoon Yolanda, citing that the airport was used as center of all relief goods coming from other countries.

According to Villarete, Mactan airport received 100 tons of goods per day during regular days, but after the super typhoon, they received more than 800 tons per day.

Although the airport of Mactan encountered problems after typhoon, but they were able to look solutions to the problems, Villarete said.

He also cited the importance of coordination in addressing the problems they encountered after the typhoon. With the incoming seminar and training, Villarete said their experienced after typhoon Yolanda will guide them.

He further said that there are other national offices and law enforcement agencies also operating inside the airport.

Beside the airport, the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base was also used in transporting relief goods to other provinces.

Meanwhile, the Lapu-Lapu City Police wants to improve in responding crimes by intensifying a special team called Motorcycle Police Crime Response.

Members of the special team are members of the Special Weapons and Tactics who have undergone proper training in responding crimes.

The said team was created during the time of former Lapu-Lapu City Police Chief Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas.

City Mayor Paz Radaza supported the creation of the special police team by giving motorcycles assigned to them.

Lawas, in a previous interview, said that he believes the need for a special team to conduct immediate response after a crime happens in the city.

Acting Lapu-Lapu City Police Chief Sr. Supt. Armando Radoc said he will work to make the special team more effective. (FREEMAN)