It is finally going to open. The not-so-brand-new Silay-Bacolod Airport of international standards, which has been ready for operation since October, but unfortunately has not been able to operate because of the lack of a usable access road, is scheduled to open on Jan. 18.

In another classic example of cramming and pwede na , a two lane access road that aptly jives with the retro fashion of the 80's by not having any kind of streetlights to speak of (remember what the Bacolod-Silay highway used to look like at night then?), a narrow road that passes through all three cemeteries of Silay, was rushed and finally completed, linking the spanking new facility to the outside world. Just be extra careful when going to the airport at night or during the pre-dawn flights, and be extra early just in case you will be slowed down by a 10-kph funeral procession, and you will be able to get to the airport and experience what “international standards” mean.

There have been rumblings and boasts of a few more alternative, world class roads leading to the new airport, but until those roads are opened and usable, they will remain rumors. Let's just hope that these other roads will be built with more than just saliva and pray that they get completed within this generation.

Aside from the roads, there is also the issue of getting there for those who do not own their own cars. Unless a top secret public transport system or shuttle service is waiting to be unveiled on the eve of Jan. 18, the public has currently no idea how to get there other than by taxi. Without any competition whatsoever, taxis can be expected to charge at least P250-300 one way. The recent track record of the people involved in this airport, where it seems that something as critical as the access road was built as an afterthought, drastically lowers the expectations of a reasonably priced, comfortable, and efficient public transport system being immediately available to serve the airport's users.

On the other hand, once you do get to the airport, do not bother comparing the looks, amenities and conveniences of the old one with the new one. There is more of everything that matters and less of everything we had to bear with. More runway, more space, more modern check in counters, baggage carousels and more pre-departure area. More escalators and elevators mean less hassle for the elderly, differently abled, and those with children. Tubes connecting the planes to the terminal mean less worries about rain or shine. Those who have had to deal with the prehistoric system of baggage claiming at the current Cebu Pacific terminal will be overjoyed with the baggage carousels.

There is no doubt that the new airport will be a vast improvement over the old one. Unless some major defects like the ceiling crashing down ala NAIA 3 unexpectedly show up, whoever did this job must have made sure it was done right. Unfortunately the same can't be said about everything else that was supposed to happen outside the gates of the airport. That group must have watched the movie “Field of Dreams” too many times and adopted the slogan “If you build it, they will come”. They probably forgot that building an airport does not stop at the ter minal, runway, and control tower, but should also include the roads and the transport system. Especially if you build one in the middle of nowhere.