Mactan airport runway ‘severely’ deteriorated

CEBU — The three-kilometer runway of the Mactan Cebu International Airport has deteriorated "severely" and could become a safety risk if not repaired within the next seven months.

A team of Japanese consultants earlier noted the runway’s deterioration which they described as "medium" to "severe."

But that was sometime ago and until now, nothing appears to have been done to correct the deficiency.

Not only that, any repair that might eventually be undertaken will have to face further delays because of red tape, an airport official bewailed.

Antonio Oppus, private sector representative in the airport authority board and a former airport manager, said he fears that if the runway is not repaired in seven months, its deterioration could worsen.

The Japanese consultants, who had checked the runway, recommended either a "rejuvenation" or an asphalt overlay.

The airport authority is opting for "rejuvenation" because it costs less (about P47 million) than an asphalt overlay (240 million). Rejuvenation means coating and treating the runway with chemicals to bring it back to "newness."

There is, however, no definite timetable for the rejuvenation to start.

Airport officials are concerned there will be delays in the bidding and awarding of the project to contractors due to bureaucratic red tape.

"We have to set aside bureaucratic processes in awarding the rejuvenation project as this may embarrass the government if it is not immediately acted upon," Oppus said.

As early as January, Philippine Airlines complained that the runway had to be cleaned up.

Airport manager Alfonso Alerre echoed Oppus’ concern but said that public bidding is still the best way to show the airport authority exercises transparency.

"We want to avoid allegations the project was awarded with irregularities," he said.

The bidding procedure alone is expected to take two months while importation of materials and equipment will take another 45 days.

The rejuvenation work itself will take much lesser time and can be expected to be fully completed in 10 days if weather conditions permit.

There are special construction companies qualified to handle the project but are all foreign-based.

Once the repair is underway, the runway may be closed to air traffic from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. — Freeman News Service