Bacolod airport request
gets Arroyo nod -- Bing
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday expressed elation and said he was joined in his reaction by other city mayors present when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gave a nod to his appeal for the retention and the reopening of the airport in Bacolod City .

Leonardia made the appeal during the meeting and election at Malacañang yesterday of the League of City Mayors where the President had joined them. Iloilo city Mayor Jerry Treñas, national chairman of the League, Bais City Mayor Hector Villanueva, and Tres Martires Mayor Melencio Sagon were among the chief executives from the Visayas present when this was discussed, Leonardia also said.

This was relayed in an interview with local media at the Bacolod City Hall yesterday where it was met with cheers and applause.

Bacolod City Legal Officer Allan Zamora yesterday said the Mayor has acted on the “takeover ordinance” involving the operation and management of the port at the reclamation area in Bacolod City , Friday.

However, he said he does not know whether the Mayor approved or vetoed it. But definitely he did not allow it to lapse into a law, he said.

The “takeover ordinance” was approved by the SP on third and final reading on Dec. 19 with seven positive votes against five negative votes and one abstention. It was submitted to the Mayor's office on Jan. 8 and the Mayor had 10 days to act on it.

Acting Gov. Isidro Zayco yesterday said a locally-initiated provincewide insurance program to provide better health care for Negrenses is being considered for implementation in Negros Occidental.

Negros Occidental officials joined a luncheon meeting hosted by Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco in Hacienda Balbina, Pontevedra, Saturday where former Gov. Faustino Dy Jr. briefed them on the Isabela Provincial Health Care Mutual Assistance Fund.

Zayco said no politics was discussed during the meeting.