Reforms will be implemented at the Bacolod-Silay Airport for the convenience and protection of the travelling public, Negros Occidental Board Member Nehemias de la Cruz, said yesterday.

The reforms were discussed and agreed on at a multi-agency meeting, also attended by airline representatives, at the airport yesterday afternoon, he said.

Bacolod Silay Airport transport operation guidelines will be implemented to ensure that when passengers avail of public transportation from the airport they are not overpriced and hassled, de la Cruz said.

The guidelines are also aimed at ensuring smooth vehicular traffic flow and congestion in front of the passenger terminal building, he said.

All transport clerks inside the arrival lobby should be seated at their respective tables and wait for prospective passengers to transact business with them, de la Cruz said.

Complaints had been aired that such persons were observed to be shouting for passengers to transact business with them as they pass.

Civil Aviation Authority   sticker issued metered taxis will be required to wait in a queue and issue electronic receipts to their passengers to ensure that they are not overbilled, de la Cruz said.

Passengers of other authorized non-metered vehicles must also be given transport forms bearing the driver’s name, vehicle’s plate number and telephone number, and the amount to be charged a passenger to his or her specified destination, de la Cruz said.

This precaution is being taken to prevent passengers from being quoted a certain rate at the airport and being charged more on reaching his or her destination, he added.

CCTV cameras will also be set up to ensure that airport personnel are not offering their services as porters to passengers for a fee, he said.

Those found doing so will be reprimanded, suspended and could be expelled from the service, de la Cruz said.

Persons outside the airport insisting on carrying passengers’ baggage for a fee will also not be allowed, he said.

Also tackled at the meeting was the creation of an airport emergency and rescue organization at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, de la Cruz said.

De la Cruz said the  meeting presided over by airport OIC manager June  Madamba was attended by representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines, Zest Air and Cebu Pacific.

Earlier complaints had been aired over the unruly behavior of some people at the arrival and departure areas of the Bacolod-Silay Airport.

De la Cruz, chairman of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Tourism,  said the first and last impression of a tourist about the province is made at the airport so the matter should be addressed.

Meanwhile, Bacolod businessman Ed Alunan who earlier complained about poor services at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 said he met with its general manager Octavio Lina who assured him that his concerns will be addressed.

The arrival escalators are now working as promised and Lina assured that all “walkalators” will be functional by mid 2012, Alunan said.*CPG

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