Let's retain the Bacolod airport

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Among the matters likely to be taken up with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her meetings with local officials today is the future of the present airport in Bacolod City. This is because one of the items in the agenda of her visit is the status of the new Bacolod-Silay airport already constructed in Silay City, which the President is also scheduled to visit and inspect.

While the people in this province and its cities are excited over the acquisition of this airport of international standards and its potential for improving not only business and economic prospects, but also tourism in this area, there are now strong calls for the retention of the present one within Bacolod City, which are backed by very logical and practical reasons which, hopefully, will be presented to the President today.

This is one issue on which both the business and official sectors are apparently of one mind. And they have been voicing their opinions on it especially now, because of reports that the national government plan is to sell the property on which the present airport is located. Among the reasons and justifications for retaining the airport are that it could be used by smaller aircraft, particularly those carrying tourists from hopping from other islands, or goods and supplies to the city. It could also serve as an alternative landing site in case of some accidents or breakdowns or any other incidents that could prevent landing or reaching the new airport.

We still have not forgotten what happened when the Air Transport Office head ordered the Bacolod airport closed for several weeks on the excuse that some buildings in the city were considered hazards to aircraft. And, although we fervently pray that no such incident will ever occur again, the new airport had already shown its vulnerability when it was bombed by rebels midway in its construction.

Selling the property, especially the land on which the present airport is located may also not bring in as much money as probably expected because more than half of is privately owned. Of the 37 hectares there, only about 17 is owned by the government. This is another angle to consider in any decision on the present airport, which we hope will be inputted in a discussion to be made on the matter today.*