Negros now open to world,
endless opportunities: Noli
BY CARLA GOMEZ

SILAY CITY – The P5.6 billion New Bacolod Silay Airport that has opened up Negros Island to the rest of the world will bring in endless growth opportunities for Negros Island , Vice President Noli de Castro said yesterday.

De Castro led the inauguration of the new alternate international airport here yesterday afternoon also attended by Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and Japanese and Negrense officials.

The 72-year-old Bacolod airport was closed down Thursday evening after the last flight out.

It was not yet dawn, but the newly-opened Bacolod-Silay Airport of international standards in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City was already lit up and humming with activity yesterday.

The Silay Children's Rondalla was strumming away just outside the gates of the arrival area, the pleasant music of their stringed instruments barely audible but recognizable at the other end of the terminal marked as the departure area. This was where most of the activity was taking place as Manila bound passengers were being dropped off and going through the checking in process.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said Rep. Mikey Arroyo (Pampanga, 2 nd District) is for the reopening of the Bacolod Airport because he is concerned with the plight of the people affected by its closure, like the vendors and porters.

Arroyo said that, although he congratulates the whole province on the opening of the new airport, it does not mean that the old airport in Bacolod , that has served Negros since time immemorial, should be closed down.

The airport started operating in 1936.