By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda said the new flight route between Bacolod-Silay Airport and Clark International Airport will benefit both provinces, citing trade as a major benefit, following yesterday’s ribbon-cutting to inaugurate the new route at Bacolod-Silay Airport.

She noted, the route will allow for products unavailable in each province to be shipped back and forth, adding it is also a method in which provinces can promote themselves in other parts of the country.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. said Pampanga would benefit from the seafood and organic products of his province, while Pampanga could provide furniture.

The Pampanga governor pointed out the flight time between Bacolod City and Clark is the same as flying to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City, however, given the heavy traffic of Metro Manila, Clark is easier to access.

Marañon said the route will help decongest passenger and airplane traffic at NAIA.

Presently, flights between Clark and Bacolod run four times a week, with the Negros Occidental governor assuring it would increase in the future.

He added, the maiden flight took off yesterday morning, with the return flight estimated to be 80 percent full./DGB, WDJ