By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has announced an additional PHP400 million in funding for the renovation and expansion of the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Benitez said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has committed PHP200 million for terminal renovations, while the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) pledged another PHP200 million for runway expansion.
“Because CAAP changed its director general, I will follow it up,” he said, adding that he personally facilitated the project to ensure it pushes through.
Benitez said the airport upgrades should begin this year.
He added that he will coordinate again with CAAP and TIEZA to ensure implementation.
CAAP is tasked with planning the terminal design, as there have been complaints of overcrowding and issues with broken escalators and comfort rooms.
“They will make it bigger and nicer,” Benitez said.
The airport, located in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City, was inaugurated on July 13, 2007, and formally opened as an international-standard airport on Jan. 18, 2008.
