October 15, 2023
by Jon Lorence Panelo
Moving towards the second part of our AvM student’s OJT special, we will feature some of AISAT’s aviation management pioneer students and OJTs from other schools through a question-and-answer interview during their most convenient time. Before all else, for a fun fact, Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is the second largest airport in the Philippines. It is operated by a Filipino-led private consortium between Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) and GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) under a concession agreement or Public-Private Partnership Program (PPP) with the Philippine Government, specifically the Department of Transportation (DOTr). Also, MCIA is the first and only airport in the country accredited by the Airports Council International (ACI) for continual customer experience improvement.
As one of the interns at Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) General Aviation and Industrial Division (GAID), every day is a learning experience. MCIAA trusts their OJTs to perform actual on-the-job tasks, whether in the office or the field. On my first day, I conducted a safety briefing for a new aircraft mechanic, OJT, at the Gen Av control center. Further, up to this day, I continue to conduct a safety briefing regularly wherein I am tasked to orient new employees and fellow OJTs on the safety rules and regulations at GAID. In addition, during my first week, and up until now, I conducted morning and afternoon landside and airside inspections along with my supervisors and fellow OJTs at both the Gen Av building and ramp. A landside inspection looks into the Gen Av building facilities, including the Gen Av control center, terminal, and parking area. Meanwhile, the airside inspection involves carefully examining the ramp, taxiway, and even the hangars of the concessionaires, which include flying schools, aircraft maintenance providers, air taxis, charters, sightseeing, skydiving, and helipads, among others.
In over a month, I was able to accomplish numerous tasks as reflected in my accomplishment report, such as filling in the aircraft movement report details for the day, picking up files from Bantayan airport at a flying school’s hangar to be delivered and received by collections division, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Unit (PNP AVSEU), and GAID; assisting in the new applications and renewal of ID and vehicle passes for the day; and many more. During my one-week exchange to experience various divisions, I was also able to assist in processing Authority to Drive Airside (ADA) and Authority for Use at Airside (AUA) at the One Stop Shop (OSS); assist during the Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) inspection at the airfield; conduct day inspection at terminal 2 along with International Terminal Operations Division (ITOD) employees and OJTs; among others. Overall, my OJT experience at MCIAA continues to be an adventure to look forward to daily.
Moreover, upon asking my fellow OJTs at GAID, Capt. Joshua Zion Korenblom and Mr. Peter Paul Lamban from AISAT aviation management mentioned that MCIAA has a healthy working environment, in which employees and OJTs alike can efficiently work hand-in-hand. Relatedly, Mr. Kenneth Russel Sentillas and Mr. Mark Francis Omboy from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR) operations management highlighted that all employees are very welcoming and willing and able to share their learnings on the job. Additionally, I asked the same from my fellow OJTs, both from AISAT and Royal Christian College (RCC), on their experiences at AGOD, Ms. Shanelyn Retuya, Ms. Khim Rose Carillas, and Ms. Aimae Shenna Goc-ong from RCC airline management stated that everyone is fun to be with and that all is going well as OJTs are treated as equally as employees. Similarly, Ms. Therese Angeli Onod and Ms. Novelle Grace Maregmen from AISAT aviation management said that MCIAA is very supportive and encouraging as they make OJTs feel like employees.
We would like to thank our fellow OJTs for sharing their experiences during their stay at MCIAA. Up to this day, MCIAA continues to accept OJTs from various schools across the Philippines, and we, the pioneering batch of AvM students, are also encouraging our fellow AvM students to have their OJT at the prestigious Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority. Indeed, MCIAA recognizes not only its customers, employees, and concessionaires but also its interns. Mabuhay MCIA!