PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the P2.07 billion alternate runway at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), expected to increase the airport’s capacity by 25 percent for both domestic and international flights.
Marcos, in his opening speech on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, said the parallel runway is expected to be simultaneously utilized with the original runway by 2028, increasing capacity to accommodate over 18 million passengers annually.
“This airport has been instrumental not only in the development of this province but also of the Central Visayas region and other provinces that are served by flights from MCIA (Mactan-Cebu International Airport),” said Marcos.
The inauguration of a new MCIA runway is just a “snapshot” of the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, Marcos said Thursday, noting the plan to upgrade 15 more airports nationwide.
“It’s only a snapshot of all the exciting things that are happening in our airport infrastructure. It is part of our broader vision to advance the development of our country’s infrastructure,” Marcos said during the inauguration of the MCIA alternate runway in Lapu-Lapu City.
“This vision is anchored in the principles of good governance and a collective desire to uplift the lives of our people—recognizing that progress in connectivity translates to progress in opportunities,” he added.
Marcos noted that the Aviation Infrastructure Program will get P7.7 billion this year for the upgrade of 15 airports nationwide.
He said the government aims to modernize facilities, improve connectivity, and acquire state-of-the-art navigational equipment.
“Through this program, we can construct, rehabilitate, and enhance runways, taxiways, ramps, control towers, passenger terminals, while at the same time acquiring state-of-the-art navigational equipment,” Marcos said.
Marcos said the new MCIA runway, the first and only parallel runway in the Philippines, is a “bold leap forward” as it would help improve Cebu province’s competitiveness, connectivity, and capacity to take in visitors.
“There really is something special about Cebu. It’s a place where history and progress come together very gracefully, where tradition converges with innovation, and where the grit and tenacity of its people shine brightly in every achievement,” he said.
“This new runway at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport reflects the very essence of Cebu: it is dynamic, promising, and always ready to take on challenges. And just as Cebu has been a center of trade and tourism, this parallel runway symbolizes the unrelenting drive to connect, and to grow, and to lead,” Marcos added.
Increase capacity
Julius Neri Jr., MCIA general manager, told reporters that the alternate runway will increase capacity to accommodate more flights that will significantly address the rising air traffic demand.
Neri added that the parallel runway will serve as a backup, to be used when the main runway is closed for emergencies, maintenance, or other purposes that won’t disrupt airport operations.
As of Jan. 30, the first parallel runway in the Philippines is currently in the process of commissioning to become operational, said Neri.
He added that numerous procedures must be completed and adhered to in compliance with regulatory standards set by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and international guidelines. This is to ensure the safety of all passengers.
Neri added that once the 2,600-meter airstrip is fully operational, repair and rehabilitation work on the main runway will begin, with plans to start in the latter part of 2025.
“Our airport is getting more and more traffic, and we are pushing tourism, both local and international. So, it’s very important that part of the airport experience is to make sure that everybody (passengers) is safe,” said Neri.
The airport presently has the capacity to efficiently accommodate 30 flight movements per hour, both domestic and international, with its existing runways, said Neri.
MCIA is the country’s second largest and busiest airport in the Philippines, mainly serving as a gateway in the Central Visayas region. / DPC
