Cebu City (3 October) -- A budget allocation of P100M was given to the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) by the National Government for infrastructure and improvement of the airport in time for the Asean Summit.

MCIAA general manager Danilo Augusto Franzia bared in the 888 News Forum this morning at the Parklane Hotel on the airport's preparations for the upcoming Asean event that the construction of the VIP Lounge costs P50M. The summit delegation from 18 countries will pass through the VIP lounge upon arrival that also houses a media working and press conference areas.

The lounge is 30 percent finished while the target deadline for completion is on November 30, Franzia said.

Another P30M is allocated for the overlaying of the aircraft parking aprons and the remaining P20M for the lighting, this was disclosed in the same forum.

MCIAA's operations chief Captain Romeo Bersonda said the aircraft parking space are categorized into three aprons namely the aircraft parking apron, the military bitominous apron and the commercial apron. The total aircraft space can accommodate a total of eight wide-bodied aircraft and 14 medium-sized aircraft with one aircraft as reserve, this was learned.

Bersonda said the aircraft parking apron fronting the Philippine Air Force is about 13 has. while the bitominous parking area has a total of five hectares. About 21 to 23 aircraft can be accommodated depending on the size but under scheme B where 23 aircraft will use the parking space, the breakdown would be 8 wide-bodied aircraft and 15 medium-sized jets, according to Bersonda.

Bersonda however said, that beyond the infrastructure, they want to focus on the basics which are on security and the cleanliness of the international airport while at the same time doing improvements on major things.

The National Organizing Committee for the 12th Asean Summit is not considering cancellation of flights during the summit but in case of emergencies, there might be a brief disruption due to the arrival of state leaders that will cause a 20-minute delay of commercial flights, Bersonda further said.

Bersonda advised those who want to take a holiday during the summit to leave before December 10, the date of the arrival of the Heads of States and come back by December 16 or 17 as all the foreign delegation has left by then.

Franzia on the other hand, asked for the public's understanding as passengers might be faced with inconveniences such as taking off their shoes as part of the security measures as the summit draws nearer.