There are more people and sectors who see the need to retain the present Bacolod airport, businessman Rodolfo "Babes" Alvarez said yesterday.

He said they are planning to form a group that will continue the advocacy and help the city in the formulation of a retention strategy soon. Alvarez said they are asking the President to give the local government of Bacolod a chance. He said they know that Mayor Evelio Leonardia has directed City Administrator Roger Balo to study the retention option that can be presented to the decision makers like the national government and business tycoon Lucio Tan, who owns half of the airport property.

"I don't see the logic of Bacolod City losing its airport (when the airport in Silay starts to operate), except in (the case of) Hong Kong where the retention of its old airport was risky because of the skyscrapers," Alvarez said. In other countries, they don't close but keep their old airports open because they understand the principle that more is better, he said.

Alvarez said Taiwan, which is just a little bigger than Negros, has 22 airports, while there are a dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area. So there is an influx of tourists because there are several choices, he pointed out.

He said that in the case of Bacolod, there can be future expansion of the existing airport towards the sea and Sum-ag. He said it can also serve as a complementary airport to handle general aviation like Asian Spirit, Sea Air and other smaller aircrafts, and attract more tourists to Bacolod.

Alvarez said if the airport in Silay operates, the existing airport can also serve as a flight training school, a school for air traffic controller, or location for investors involve in the aviation industry.

The pronouncement of the Air Transportation Office that no two airports can exist within a 50 kilometer radius is a deception since the distance between the airports in other countries like Taiwan and Singapore, are less than 30 kms., Alvarez said. "I think, in this modern age we should retain vital facilities," he said.

Alvarez said he believes the government should not make a hasty decision in selling the Bacolod airport. What if Bacolod can show viability? He asked.

Meanwhile, former Bacolod Rep. John Orola, now tourism envoy of the Department of Tourism in China, Japan and Korea, is requesting for more information and action agenda from the city government as to the would-be scenario and status of the Bacolod Airport if the airport in Silay is opened in November this year.

In a letter to Leonardia through Balo, Orola echoed the sentiments and concerns of some business sectors in Bacolod City, especially in the hotel and restaurant establishments whose business might be adversely affected once the airport in Silay is open.

However, Orola said "There is nothing we can do but to support that airport since the structure in there and already finished."

But what is alarming is the adverse impact it can create to Bacolod economy especially to the business sector and other travelers who would choose and opt for destinations that can provide them easy access and their business missions, he said.

Orola suggested that the city government start negotiating with the private sector, Lucio Tan and to negotiate with ATO or the Department of Transportation and Communications to retain the Bacolod Airport for general aviation, either for mercy flights or tourism purposes.

Orola said President Glorial Macapagal Arroyo has declared the entire Visayas pilot site for Tourism programs and projects.

It's very sad for a highly urbanized city like Bacolod to lose its airport while cities like Kabankalan, Escalante and Sipalay are planning and starting to build their own.

Orola said "It is time to move now to continue the progress being done by Mayor Bing Leonardia. If Mayor Bing was able to pursue the construction of a new government center for Bacolod City, why not move for the retention of Bacolod Airport for another economic agenda so Bacolod city can live up its name as the highly urbanized and developed city in Negros Occidental?" he said.*CGS

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