Airport Movement to meet with PGMA to seek old Bacolod Airport re-opening
BACOLOD CITY -- The Retain Bacolod Airport Movement will seek an audience with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when she visits the province probably by next week, Rodolfo "Babes" Alvarez said.
The movement met again with Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia to prepare their position which will be presented to President Arroyo.
The movement still believes and hopes for the best that the old airport will be re-opened considering its economic impact to Bacolod City and its people.
"We will ask the President if she could fast-track the possible re-opening of the old airport because she already verbalized her support to Mayor Leonardia to the possible re-opening of the old airport," he said.
Alvarez said that the old airport is still the best secondary airport that could serve the Negrenses and Bacolodnons.
The Air Philippines has already signified their interest to operate in the old airport while Philippine Airlines owner business taipan Dr. Lucio Tan also agreed to allow Bacolod City to use the 20-hectares property of PAL for the operation of the old airport.
The old airport is occupying the 37-hectare property owned by the national government and PAL's 20 hectares.
The Air Transportation Office, in principle, has no problem in the operation of the two airports in the province. "We happily convinced ATO that there is no rule in the International Civil Aviation Law that prohibits the operation of two airports within the 300 meter radius," he said.
Alvarez said that difficulties have been experienced with the distant location of the new Bacolod-Silay airport that they wanted the old airport re-opened. (PNA)