President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has given the go-signal for the construction of the 10-kilometer access road from Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City to the new airport in Silay City and it will start in the next three months, Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella said during a press conference Saturday.

Puentevella said the ground-breaking by the President of the 10-km access road is tentatively set in August or September and it is expected to be finished on March 2010 before her term ends.

The project will be financed by the Korean government through a soft loan at minimal interest to the government, he said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways will start a parcellary mapping survey of the lands to be covered by the access road and dialogs will be held with landowners concerning the price of their properties, Puentevella said.

Meanwhile, Puentevella said it may take five to six months before the proposed 300 percent increase on all air services fees of the Bacolod Silay Airport is implemented.

He said there is a need to explain to the people first the move to increase airport fees so they will understand that this is part of the loan contract of the government with the Japan International Cooperation Agency in the establishment of a new airport. Because public was not well informed of this provision, he requested for a moratorium on the increase in air service fees until they can explain that this is being implemented in  the new airports of Cebu, Davao and Iloilo, which are covered by foreign loans, he added.*CGS

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