MCIAA has a new leader

Local

THE national government has named a new general manager to lead the country’s second-busiest airport, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

Lawyer Jarred Alexander Gullas has taken over as the chief of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), the state body co-running and co-managing the airport.

He succeeded Julius Neri Jr., who is stepping down after nearly a decade of service to the airport authority.

Gullas took his oath as MCIAA general manager on Monday, Nov. 9, before Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, with Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Philip Lo witnessing the ceremony.

The 37-year-old lawyer previously served as director of the Office of Regional Concerns under the Office of the President (OP), a position he held since August 2022.

Gullas brings a background in economics, law and government service to the position.

He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Central Florida in the United States before pursuing law at Ateneo de Manila University. He passed the Bar examinations in 2019.

Before joining the OP, he worked under the late congressman Eduardo Gullas and spent two years at the Office of the Solicitor General, handling litigation involving right-of-way concerns.

Meanwhile, Neri announced his departure from MCIAA on Tuesday, Nov. 10, describing his years of service as an honor and privilege.

Neri served as a member of the MCIAA board of directors beginning December 2016 before becoming general manager in July 2021, when the aviation industry was still grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am now very happy to say that what happened over the next 5 years was beyond my expectations with back-to-back Best Airport Awards for 2024 and 2025, among many other local and international awards and accreditations,” he wrote on his official Facebook page.

He said his primary objectives upon assuming the leadership were to ensure the authority's financial survival and leave it in a better position than when he took over.

Neri credited the airport's achievements to the support of MCIAA employees, private partners, government agencies, airlines and other aviation stakeholders.

He also cited the airport's recent local and international recognitions as among the highlights of his tenure.

To his successor, Neri offered his support and wished

Gullas well as he takes on the responsibilities of managing the country's second-busiest international gateway.

“I will always be around if you need me,” Neri said.

Neri said he would now devote more time to his family, health and personal interests, including golf, flying radio-controlled airplanes and going on road trips.

“The MCIAA will always have a place in my heart,” he said.(RBE