15% increase in rents, concession fees in Mactan airport pushed, aired in hearing

Officials in the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority are asking for a 15 percent increase in concession fees and rent.

They heard opinions on that proposal in a public hearing on Thursday and yesterday.

The Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) is set to implement an increase in rentals and concession privilege fees for their concessionaires, possibly within the year.

In a public hearing held in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday, MCIAA officials led by Assistant General Manager Glenn Napuli said they plan to implement a 15 percent increase in rentals, particularly for properties within the airport that are outside the project’s land, such as hangars, offices, buildings and factories, among others.

These are now charged P126 per square meter per month for offices and P109 per square meter per month for covered areas such as hangars and storage facilities.

The 15 percent increase will also apply to lease and rental charges for spaces under the management and control of the MCIAA, such as the aircraft movement area, which is now charged P68 per square meter, per month; developed and undeveloped lands, also charged P68 per square meter, per month; and land located in the General Aviation Area and other areas with aircraft operations, now being charged P52 per square meter, per month.

Napuli said that aside from rentals, a 15 percent increase in business concessions will also take effect.

This includes concessions for passenger services, food, transportation utilities, and miscellaneous business, among others.

Romualda Tamidles, MCIA Business Development and Con- cessions Division, told SunStar Cebu they are set to implement a 15 increase in all business concessions in the airport, except for transportation.

Tamidles said they can’t raise the fees for transportation utility concessions until MCIAA can initiate construction of their proposed cargo building. Napuli said they plan to start that construction within the year.

Napuli said the results of the public hearing yesterday will be brought to the MCIAA Board in their next meeting on May 10.

Should the MCIAA Board approve the increase, airport officials will wait 15 days before it can be implemented.

SUNSTAR FOTO / ALLAN CUIZON OPEN AIR. The MCIAA conducts a public hearing on a proposed increase in concession fees and rent. Among those present were ( from left) Romualda Tamidles and Roland Gabby Acosta of MCIAA Business Development & Concessions; Atty. Glenn Napuli, assistant general manager; Engr. Achilles Ponce; and Joselito Espinoza of the Crash, Fire and Rescue Division.