GMR-MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corp., the private operator of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), is looking at joining the Camotes Islands airport project being planned by the Cebu provincial government. In a visit to the proposed site on Monday, GMR-Megawide President Louie B. Ferrer said he sees a lot of potential in developing Camotes. “Based on this, there are many opportunities because the place is big,” he said. Steve Y. Dicdican, general manager of MCIA Authority (MCIAA), a government corporation that administers the Cebu airport, said the initial plan being discussed with the provincial government is to develop a community airport in Camotes, where a 1.8-kilometer airstrip within a 27-hectare property is already in place. “We’re looking at the possibility of first doing a community airport similar to that of Bantayan, and eventually grow it to a commercial airport,” Mr. Ferrer said. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia said the airport development would open Camotes to economic and tourism opportunities. “In terms of investment and tourism, an airport… would certainly (usher in) huge opportunities for Camotes to be developed,” Ms. Garcia said. She said the presence of Mr. Ferrer and other Mactan airport officials at the site inspection “was a good start” and they will be discussing the parameters for a potential partnership. MCIAA and the provincial government partnered for the development of the airport in Bantayan, located off northern Cebu, and are also looking into a similar project in Medellin, 120 kilometers south of Cebu City. — The Freeman

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