By CESAR JOLITO III
Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez is pressing the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to immediately explain and reassess what he described as “excessive” overnight parking fees at Bacolod-Silay Airport, following mounting complaints from travelers and local stakeholders.
In a letter dated February 9, addressed to CAAP Director General Retired Lt. Raul del Rosario, Benitez cited City Council Resolution No. 53, which flagged public concern over overnight parking charges at the airport located in Negros Occidental’s Silay City.
Benitez said his office has received numerous complaints from residents, business owners, overseas Filipino workers, and tourism operators who rely on the airport as the province’s primary gateway.
He warned that steep parking fees undermine accessibility and convenience, particularly for long-haul travelers and those leaving vehicles overnight.
The overnight parking fee at the airport has surged from P200 to P600, a 200-percent increase that has sparked criticism from the public and local officials.
An attached CAAP invoice showing an overnight parking charge of P1,680 has intensified calls for transparency, with stakeholders questioning whether the rate is justified and consistent with fees at similarly situated airports nationwide.
The lawmaker formally asked CAAP to disclose the legal basis, computation and guidelines governing the current charges, and to clarify whether the agency is considering a review or reduction in response to public clamor.
Benitez stressed that airport policies should support economic activity and tourism recovery, noting that pricing perceived as unreasonable could discourage travel and hurt local businesses.
He also furnished copies of his letter to the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod and airport management.
Benitez said he expects a prompt response from CAAP and concrete measures to address public concerns, reiterating his commitment to ensure fair, transparent and accountable public services for Negrenses.
Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the sharp increase in overnight parking fees at the airport places an added financial burden on travelers and motorists.
“It hurts the pocket. Even at P200, we already felt the pinch, but people accepted it because they valued the safety and security of the area,” Lacson said, adding that tripling the fee could discourage motorists from using the official parking space./CJ, WDJ