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.
Mayor Alfredo Benitez said March 18 that CAAP committed P200 million for the terminal renovation while TIEZA pledged P200 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 in an interview.
Benitez said that in its current state, the Bacolod-Silay Airport is crowded while the restrooms and the escalator 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 July last year and set for completion within 360 calendar days.
With 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 July 13, 2007 ahead of its formal opening as an airport of international standards on Jan. 18, 2008. | PNA
