An appeal to the President

I would like to take this opportunity convey to the President the sentiments of those of us who would like to see the present Bacolod Airport retained, and for the following reasons;

1) the Bacolod airport can serve as the hub for the smaller airlines that cater primarily to the tourist market as well as for general or private aviation, while the Silay airport can be further upgraded to eventually serve as the international airport for Negros Island

2) can be the site for a flight school and a control tower school,

3) can be pushed as a location for companies engaged in aircraft repairs and maintenance as well as those engaged in the manufacturing of aircraft instrumentation and other accessories,

4) can be lengthened by reclaiming the shallow foreshore area towards the Sum-ag river, a total potential area of approximately 150 hectares for a special ecozone and other uses,

5) lastly, can serve as an alternative airport in case, God forbid, any accident should occur at the new airport in Silay.

Upon the initiative of Mayor Zayco of Kabankalan City in the south and Mayor Lacson of San Carlos City in the north, with funding assistance from the provincial government of Governor Joseph Marañon as well as, I understand, assistance from the office of the President as well, we shall, in the near future, have two more hubs in the province to service the province's tourism initiative.

With this in mind, we therefore urge President Gloria Arroyo to allow the local government of Bacolod City, under Mayor Leonardia, to fully explore the options for retention. We believe that, with the support, a win-win solution can be found, a solution that will redound to the benefit of the entire island of Negros, as well as the region.

Hoping for the President's favorable consideration. Respectfully yours,

(Sgd.) RODOLFO Z. ALVAREZ

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