Cebu 5th District Representative Vincent Franco ‘Duke’ Frasco has renewed his proposal for the construction of a secondary airport in Cebu, preferably in Sogod town of northern Cebu, saying the recent earthquake exposed the province’s vulnerability and highlighted the urgent need for an alternative gateway.
In an interview on Wednesday (October 22), Frasco said the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that recently struck northern Cebu served as a ‘wake-up call’ for local leaders to prioritize disaster preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and economic development.
Frasco said the envisioned facility would serve as a backup to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in the event it becomes inoperable due to natural disasters or emergencies. He said Cebu’s dependence on MCIA makes the province susceptible to isolation if the facility becomes inoperable.
‘Our plan for Cebu is to put up a secondary airport here. If something were to happen to our existing airport, for example, if the epicenter of the recent quake were in Mactan, we would have no way for planes to land. How would we get the help and aid that we need?’ said Frasco.
The congressman emphasized that other major cities around the world maintain secondary airports to ensure continuity of operations in times of crisis. ‘Cebu should have one too,’ he stressed.
Frasco cited international examples such as New York, London, and Tokyo – all of which have more than one major airport to support mobility, tourism, and economic activity.
Frasco also drew comparisons closer to home, noting that Metro Manila has four major air facilities – Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, Clark International Airport in Pampanga, and new airports under construction in Bulacan and Cavite.
For Cebu, Frasco envisions the municipality of Sogod in the province’s north as the ideal site for the proposed secondary airport.
He said Sogod, strategically located about 50 kilometers from Cebu City, can be easily accessed through major routes, including the Marcelo Fernan Bridge that connects Mandaue City to Lapu-Lapu City.
The town also offers wide tracts of land suitable for development and is near major infrastructure projects like the upcoming Cebu International Container Port in Consolacion.
Frasco believes the proposed airport would not only serve as a crucial backup to MCIA during emergencies but also spark growth and investment in northern Cebu.
‘Hopefully, once it materializes, it will not only mitigate risks if something happens to our existing airport but also open up the economy in Northern Cebu, providing new opportunities for our people in Sogod and even in the Fourth District,’ he added.
Frasco said he had previously filed the proposal in the last Congress and intends to refile it in the 20th Congress. The next step, he added, is to coordinate with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to secure funding for a feasibility study.
He acknowledged that the project would take time to materialize but stressed that groundwork should begin now. ‘It’s important that the discussion starts now. If ever there’s potential partners or funding from the national, we should be ready for implementation,’ the congressman noted.
While funding and partnerships remain key challenges, Frasco said discussions with the DOTr are expected to begin soon to initiate a feasibility study for the project.
‘The first step is to talk to the DOTr. Maybe we can secure funding for the feasibility study of this airport project. From there, we can create a more accurate timeline for the construction,’ he said.
The congressman expressed optimism that the proposed secondary airport would bring lasting benefits to Cebu Province and the entire Central Visayas region.
‘I truly believe this will be good for Cebu. It’s something that needs to be started, something that needs to be talked about. If potential partners and national funding become available, we are ready,’ Frasco further said
Pam reaction: ‘Ridiculous’
cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro however dismissed the idea, calling it ‘ridiculous.’
‘Naa pa gani wa nabayran diha sa airport sa Camotes, unya maghimo nasad siya sa Sogod. Ridiculous,’ Baricuatro said, referring to the unresolved payment issues involving the Camotes Airport project.
In response, Frasco hit back, saying the governor’s reaction reflects a mindset ‘limited by politics rather than vision.’
‘The Governor of Cebu’s reaction, calling the idea of a secondary international airport for Cebu ‘RIDICULOUS’ without even studying the proposal, is expected from someone whose mindset is limited by politics rather than vision,’ Frasco said.
Frasco appealed to Baricuatro to set aside political differences until the end of her term in 2028 and join him in prioritizing Cebu’s welfare.
‘I appeal that you set aside politics until 2028 and not allow your political affiliations or loyalties to dictate your actions,’ he furthered.