Vice president to open
airport in Silay Jan. 18
LAST BACOLOD FLIGHT JAN. 17 – DOTC
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The P5.6 billion new Bacolod-Silay Airport will open on Jan. 18 and the old airport in Bacolod City that began operations in 1936 will close down after the last flight out on Jan. 17, Edgar Mangalili, Department of Transportation and Communication airport project director, said yesterday.

Expected to attend the inauguration of the new airport of international standards in Silay City is Vice President Noli de Castro, DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo (Pampanga, 2 nd district) , Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco said.

The first flight into the new airport on Jan 18 will be Cebu Pacific from Manila that will arrive at 5:10 a.m. , followed by Philippines Airlines at 6:40 a.m. and Air Philippines as 7:20 a.m. , Mangalili told the DAILY STAR.

Demolition has
started in Banago
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

The Bacolod City Legal Enforcement Team is conducting demolition in Purok Mahimulaton, Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City to clear the area of remaining structures.

Legal Officer 3 Vicente Petierre III said the dredging operation being conducted by the city in the area to address the flooding problem is also ongoing. He said almost all of the 54 structures in Purok Mahimulaton have been demolished by the residents themselves and there are only two or three structures with posts and walls made of concrete materials that need to be removed.

After the demolition, the dredging machine can penetrate the area, Petierre said. He also noted that there are many sacks containing empty seashells along the mouth of the river that have to be removed since these hamper the operation of the dredger, he said.

‘He was loved by the people'
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Vice Governor Isidro Zayco and Board Member Melvin Ibañez, present a copy of the resolution expressing the condolence of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to Jhay and Andy Montelibano (l-r)*

Former Negros Occidental Governor and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Montelibano Jr. stood out as a leader because he was loved by the people, speakers at a necrological service for him at the Provincial Capitol said yesterday.

The remains of Montelibano arrived at the provincial Capitol at 9 a.m. yesterday for a mass and necrological service attended by his widow, Miriam Jhay, children, Negros Occidental officials, mayors and government employees.

A vigil was then held at the Capitol until 4 p.m. after which his remains were transferred to the San Sebastian Cathedral for a mass, followed by an overnight vigil at the BAYS Center . The Bacolod City government will honor him with a necrological service this morning.