By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia reiterated concerns over the recent removal of the Bacolod-Silay Airport from the public private partnership (PPP) project last month.
In a press conference at the Bacolod City Government Center yesterday, the mayor said the airport is in dire need of improvements as it can no longer handle the high volume of passengers.
“Under the [PPP] scheme, the Bacolod-Silay Airport was supposed to be funded to the tune of P20 billion in the span of 20 to 30 years,” he explained.
Leonardia said terminal space needed to be doubled, adding, the airport needs to accommodate for around 1.7 million passengers annually. He also said the runway needs to be expanded in order to handle aircraft like the Airbus A330.
Asked about the possibility of constructing a second terminal, he said it would be a “hassle” for passengers, claiming the airport operates as a transfer hub.
The mayor also questioned the management of the airport, pointing out electric fans are currently being used in place of air conditioners.
“We pay P200 for every passenger, where does [the money] go?” he questioned.
Despite the recent PPP situation, Leonardia stated he is trying to convince Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air to invest in the airport.
“Why do we have an airport as small as this, even Iloilo is bigger than us,” Leonardia stressed.
Earlier last month, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) canceled plans to bid out contracts to modernize, operate, and maintain the five major regional airports in the country through the PPP scheme.
Instead, DOTr plans to pursue modernization and development, estimated to cost P108 billion, with funds from the government or through overseas development assistance (ODA) loans.
Among the airports removed from the PPP program aside from Bacolod-Silay Airport were Davao International Airport, the New Iloilo International Airport, Cagayan De Oro Airport (Laguindingan), and the proposed New Bohol Airport in Tagbilaran./WDJ