Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said he is meeting with top officials of Air Philippines in Manila today to explore the possibility of reopening the Bacolod Airport .

Leonardia had earlier said that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gave a nod to his appeal for the retention and reopening of the airport during the League of Cities of the Philippines meeting in Manila Monday where she had joined them.

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

“I thank the Retain Bacolod Airport Movement and many other groups and citizens of Bacolod who were the inspiration when we went through all these,” Leonardia said.

He said when Arroyo gave her yes, that was the go signal. But that means they have to go through the process, that is why he requested the RBAM to embark on a serious comprehensive feasibility study so they will know the options they have to undertake whether operating the airport for general aviation or as a flying school, he added.

“I am looking forward to the possibility that even only one airline will be allowed to continue operating in the airport,” Leonardia said.

He said they acknowledge the presence of the Bacolod-Silay Airport and that so much money has been poured into it. But they are not thinking of directly compete with it, he also said.

Leonardia said they are just after operating the Bacolod Airport for the convenience of the people of Bacolod and even those in the southern towns. He was with the some mayors of southern Negros and they are all in favor of the retention of the Bacolod Airport , he added.

He said the go-signal of the President for them is a pivotal point in their crusade. He said the group that will make a feasibility study is supposed to determine whether the one that will operate it is the city, or the owner, or whether it will be a joint venture.

“ From all indications, we believe that if it goes the natural course of things, that airport will reopen. The only problem now is if it will sabotaged,” Leonardia said.

Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson said that since the city has an existing airport, he is hoping that President Arroyo, PAL president Lucio Tan and whoever is interested, will help work for its retention. It's been there for the past 72 years, he said. They are not against the operation of the airport in Silay, he also said.

Sayson said the Bacolod Airport can operate inter-island flights which is very much needed by the tourism industry. Many from the south want to come here but it would cost them so much, since they have to fly to Manila first to get here, he said.

Leonardia said the Boracay, Caticlan runway is just 900 meters but can receive as much as 71 flights a day. Even smaller planes can give the city economic activities, he said, adding that as projected by experts, tourism is going to be the number one industry in the world.*CGS

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