The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) have committed P400 million for the upgrade of the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Negros Occidental.

In an interview yesterday, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said CAAP committed P200 million for the terminal renovation while TIEZA pledged PHP200 million for runway improvement.

“Since there is a changing of the guard in CAAP, I will follow it up. The last director general committed P200 million to renovate the airport. I will contact them again to implement their commitment,” he said.

Benitez said, in its current state, the Bacolod-Silay Airport is crowded while the restrooms and the escalators often malfunction.

The passenger terminal building is undergoing renovation with a funding of P41.851 million sourced from the CAAP’s 2024 Annual Procurement Plan.

The project was bid out in July last year and set for completion within 360 calendar days.

With a total coverage area of 13,469.18 square meters, it includes structural works like removal and disposal of existing roofing sheet and ceiling panels, including lighting fixtures, wires and conduits, as well as architectural, electrical and mechanical works.

The airport, located in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City, was inaugurated on July 13, 2007 ahead of its formal opening as an airport of international standards on January 18, 2008. (PNA)