CEBU, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the nomination of Julius G. Neri, Jr. to be the new general manager of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA)
Duterte’s affirmation came after the expiration of the six-month suspension of embattled MCIAA general manager Steve Dicdican.
“I am pleased to inform you that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has approved the nomination of Mr. Julius G. Neri, Jr. as General Manager of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority,” read the Malacañang letter signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
The letter dated July 7, 2021 was addressed to MCIAA Board of Directors with a copy furnished to its chairman, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Governance Commission for GOCCs chairman Samuel Dagpin Jr.
MCIAA assistant general manager Glenn Napuli told The Freeman that Dicdican has returned to office and just awating for the Board to elect the new general manager.
Napuli said should the Board elects Neri as new general manager, Dicdican still remains as member.
He explained that by law, the MCIAA Board elects a general manager from among themselves every year.
“While ni approve na ang President, still depende na sa Board if they will push through sa ila plan to elect Jay-jay Neri as GM. It is the election by the Board that will put it into effect. As of now wala pa nag-convene ang Board to elect,” Napuli said.
Neri has been sitting as member of the MCIAA Board representing the private sector since his appointment in December 2016 by Duterte along with Dicdican.
The Office of the Ombudsman in December 2020 ordered the suspension of Dicdican in connection with the charges filed against him by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The Ombudsman said the preventive suspension is warranted as the evidence of guilt against Dicdican appears to be strong.
Dicdican was charged with graft, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service over the MCIAA’s award of a 25-year concession deal to GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. for the operation and management of MCIA after GMCAC won the bid for P14.4 billion.
A motion for reconsideration was filed by Dicdican but no action yet from the Office of the Ombudsman has been received.
Aside from the continuous fight against COVID-19, the challenges to be carried over by the new general manager include the completion of the ongoing projects, starting the master plan for the Camotes airport and starting the plans for the Medellin airport. (FREEMAN)