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.

He said when he presented to the President the appeal for the retention or reopening of the Bacolod Airport for general aviation and a possible flying school, and even for commercial operation, like allowing one airline to operate, she agreed that it is possible.

“I believe that this development is like opening the door for further explorations to continue the operation of the airport even on another scale,” Leonardia said.

He said this is very significant for him even if the approval is still in principle since this is going to be pivotal to the crusade to have the airport operate again, he said.

Leonardia said he will ask the Retain Bacolod Airport Movement to embark now on a serious feasibility study on what possible steps should be taken, even to the extent of working with the group of PAL president Lucio Tan, who owns 20-hectares of the 37-hectare property on which the old airport stands. He said they can sit down later with other agencies of government involved.

MIKEY THANKED

“I thank Rep. Juan Miguel ‘Mikey' Arroyo (Pampanga, 2 nd District) who gave his endorsement to the idea of reopening the airport,” Leonardia said, adding that it is as if the Presidential son had given it CPR. “So now we can say we can continue the crusade for the airport,” he also said.

Asked if there is a target date for the reopening of the airport, Leonardia said this cannot yet be determined since they have to make formal studies and have to deal with other agencies, although he would like to have it as soon as possible.

Leonardia said that, under the circumstances, it looks like it has to be Air Philippines that will continue operating in the airport since it is also owned by Tan. At the same time he said, this must not take much of the load from the airport in Silay, considering that the government has spent so much on it and has to get back its investment, he said.

“For me, having Air Philippines is good enough,” Leonardia said. The operational expenses for the maintenance of the airport will be included in the study, he said.

WV MAYORS CONFIRM

Asked for comment, Bais Mayor Villanueva said “I was privy to the discussion when the President nodded to the proposal of Mayor Leonardia, meaning she has no objections that the old Bacolod Airport will be used,” he said. “This can be confirmed by Mayor Treñas,” he told reporters in a phone interview.

Iloilo Mayor Treñas confirmed that he heard the President agree to the proposal to allow even only one airline continue operating at the Bacolod Airport . “According to Mayor Leonardia it is going to be Air Philippines ,” Treñas said.

Tres Martires Mayor Sagon said he was also present when the President gave her nod. He also said the Bacolod Airport is near Bais City , or just a matter of eight hours travel. “The President did not object to the proposal, she nodded,” he added.

Bago Mayor Ramon Torres, who was also at the LCP meeting, said that if the Bacolod Airport is retained, it will be convenient for them, Bago being next to Bacolod in the south. He also said this will depend on the scheme considering that the government has spent so much on the construction of the airport in Silay.

Torres said they can adjust to whatever airline will operate in the Bacolod Airport , and this will also be favorable to the people in southern Negros .

JUBILATION

John Orola, special envoy to China , Japan and Korea , said he shares the feeling of many Bacoleños who are jubilant over the news that there is one airline that will continue operating in the city.

The President's agreeing to the retention or reopening of the Bacolod Airport , would be a very welcome development, he also said.

Orola also said he has received a lot of text messages congratulating the Mayor and his plans for Bacolod which concern tourism, he added.

Orola said if there is one carrier that will continue to operate in the city this will give travelers an option, especially those who want to go straight to Bacolod City . He said if the President approves the retention of the Bacolod Airport , a lot of people will be thankful.

He agrees that the international airport in Silay City is very impressive and has good facilities and that international flights should be encouraged to land there.

If Air Philippines will continue its operation in the city, Orola said, the feasibility study should be done as soon as possible.*CGS

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