By CESAR JOLITO III
Major infrastructure projects in Negros Occidental’s 3rd District are expected to drive economic growth and create more employment opportunities as plans move forward for a P1-billion convention center and the expansion of the Bacolod-Silay International Airport.
Third District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez announced the developments during the district-wide graduation ceremony of 2,065 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) scholars held at the Victorias City Coliseum on Thursday, May 7.
Benitez said the projects are expected to attract more tourists, investors and business activities to the province while opening new job opportunities for local residents and newly trained workers.
The planned Negros Occidental Convention Center, with an estimated cost of P1 billion, is designed to accommodate up to 6,200 people and is being positioned as one of the region’s largest event venues.
According to Benitez, the project has already received a verbal commitment of support from House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Alongside the convention center project, the Bacolod-Silay International Airport is also set for major improvements beginning next year after the Department of Transportation allocated funds for the expansion program.
Planned upgrades include the extension of the airport runway by 500 meters, expansion of the passenger terminal to accommodate up to 1,500 passengers, and the addition of facilities for the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Immigration.
Benitez said the airport modernization aims to increase passenger traffic capacity and pave the way for potential direct international flights to Negros Occidental, further strengthening tourism and investment prospects in the province.
During the ceremony, Benitez also highlighted the significance of the district-wide Tesda graduation, describing it as the first mass graduation event of its kind in the district that gathered scholars from different local government units in one celebration of skills training and workforce development./CJ, WDJ