• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez said on Thursday (May 7) that he is pushing for the extension of Bacolod-Silay Airport runway by 500 meters to accommodate international flights.
In his speech during the TESDA Metro Third mass graduation ceremony held at the Victorias City Coliseum, Benitez said that Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez expressed his commitment to fund the proposed runway extension.
“What we need now is additional 500 meters for the runway and the expansion of the airport terminal,” he added.
Benitez said the entry of international flights would mean more tourists and investments in the province, especially in the Third District.
The Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City features a single runway that is 2,000 meters and 45 meters wide, which is capable of handling large aircrafts like the Airbus A330.
Benitez recalled that the first chartered international flight that landed at the Bacolod-Silay Airport came from Kazakhstan, which was in 2009.
“After that, there were no longer international flights,” he said.
As Western and Central Visayas have already international flights, Benitez said “this time, Negros will also have its own.”
The Department of Transportation reportedly set aside a budget of almost P500 million for the expansion of the Bacolod-Silay Airport passenger terminal building to increase its passenger capacity to 1,500 from the present 500.
Meanwhile, the P1-billion Negros Occidental Convention Center, which can accommodate 6,200 visitors, is also set to rise in Silay City.
With the support of House leadership, Benitez said they are targeting to finish the convention center either by late of 2027 or early 2028.
The national government-funded Negros Occidental Convention Center in Silay City is seen to boost the province’s bid to become one of the convention hubs in the country. | GB
