By CESAR JOLITO III

Stranded passengers at the Bacolod-Silay Airport can once again avail themselves of free temporary accommodation as the management revived its “Sleepover sa Paliparan” program following the donation of a new nipa hut.

Police Major Deejay Domingo, chief of the Bacolod-Silay Airport Police Station under the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, said the initiative has been relaunched and has already accommodated its first beneficiary.

The program resumed after Dr. Ramel Uy, vice chairman of the advisory council on Philippine National Police Patrol Plan 2030, donated a new nipa hut exclusively intended for stranded passengers.

Domingo said the project had been temporarily suspended because the airport’s two existing nipa huts were converted into quarters for additional personnel assigned following the reactivation of the Negros Island Region.

“Sleepover sa Paliparan” was first conceptualized in 2019 but was delayed due to funding limitations and later by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Through the support of various stakeholders, it was officially launched in 2021 to provide stranded travelers with a safe and comfortable place to stay while waiting for their flights.

The free accommodation primarily serves vulnerable passengers, including persons with disabilities, pregnant women, children, and senior citizens who are unable to immediately continue their journey.

While the newly donated nipa hut has limited capacity, Domingo welcomed the revival of the initiative, saying it enables airport police to once again provide immediate assistance to passengers in need.

“Happy to serve again,” Domingo said.

The Bacolod-Silay Airport Police Station said it remains committed to delivering responsive, compassionate, and people-centered service while ensuring the safety, comfort, and well-being of travelers passing through the airport./CCJ, WDJ