The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday passed a resolution reiterating its previous stand for the retention of the existing airport in Bacolod City upon the request of the Mayor.

Councilor Alex Paglumotan said the SP had passed Resolution No. 478 strongly supporting the call of Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the Retain Bacolod Airport Movement for the retention and improvement of the present airport.

It also passed Resolution No. 522 referring to the 17-hectares of land owned by the government that it had requested from the President for the use of an airport, and for other economic purposes even as the airport in Silay becomes operational, he said.

Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue objected to the resolution saying that retaining the airport is not the best use for the property and for Bacolod .

She said that in Aug. 2006, the Committee on Communications and Energy, which she chairs, requested the Office of the President and the City Mayor to push for the area to be utilized as a mixed-use light to medium industrial/commercial economic zone accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

Councilor Al Vicrtor Espino said he is for the retention of the existing airport as long as the city does not utilize its own funds for its maintenance.

Leonardia has written President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the approval of the retention of the existing Bacolod City airport even after the new Bacolod-Silay Airport becomes operational.

He stressed yesterday that he is not against the operation of the airport in Silay, but he is pushing for the retention of the facility in Bacolod since there are more reasons for keeping it operational than for closing it down.

The growing tourism industry in Bacolod City and tourists' preference for air travel are additional reasons to retain the airport, Leonardia said.

He added that the move to convert the airport into a flying school elicited favorable response from an Indian investor who is sending feelers that they are interested in the prospect.

Leonardia said that with the shortage of pilots in India , well-trained pilots from the Philippines will be in demand.

Earlier, the Air Transportation Office had announced that it will transfer its office and facilities out of Bacolod airport to Silay as soon as commercial flights start there.

Leonardia said he is hopeful that the petition letter he sent to the Office of the President for the retention of the airport will be favorably considered and that ATO will keep some of its facilities at the old airport.

He also said he is optimistic that, with business tycoon Lucio Tan committing his support to the city government, continued operation of the airport will still be financially viable.

Meanwhile, the construction of the New Government Center of Bacolod City is running on time with more than 50 percent of the work already done, Leonardia said.

He said the project is right on track and at the rate things are going, the building will be finished by the first half of the year.

Leonardia said the city is moving forward in terms of economic progress and retaining the present Bacolod airport is necessary to sustain this growth.*CGS/NAB

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