- GILBERT BAYORAN
Direct flights to and from the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia and Negros Occidental are now being explored by both governments, following the recent visit of a delegation from the province, led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, to Darwin in Australia.
Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, who accompanied Lacson and several Capitol executives in their visit to Darwin, said they already have a draft that will be submitted for approval to the ministers of Darwin.
“Once their draft is available, we will submit it to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental for approval,” Diaz said.
“Hopefully, with the help of Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez, we can have a direct flight to Darwin, perhaps Manila to Darwin, or Negros to Guam, which could be serviced by Philippine-based airline companies,” Diaz added.
In previous months, Lacson also led a Negros delegation in a visit to Guam.
Diaz said that Negros Occidental has “lots of opportunities and potentials”, with provincial government leaders, led by Lacson and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, and the highly-urbanized Bacolod City, under the leadership of Benitez, working as one.
“Their trust rating is high, and investors are coming in,” he said./GB
