Bacolod City – The proposed privatization of Bacolod- Silay Airport operations in Negros Occidental has the support of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
“I welcome the announcement of the DOTr regarding its plan to privatize the operations and maintenance of regional airports—including the Bacolod-Silay Airport—through the public-private partnership by 2028,” Lacson said.
The Department of Transportation is eyeing the privatization of operations of 10 regional airports in the country by 2028, including the Bacolod Silay Airport, in a bid to improve connectivity across the archipelago.
To make the project financially viable, Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon earlier disclosed that the government is considering bundling multiple airports into a single contract.
“Government should really focus on making sure that a lot of areas have at least an airstrip, have an airfield, for logistics, for emergencies, and disaster response,” Dizon added.
For a rapidly growing province like Negros Occidental, Lacson said a modern, efficient, and world-class airport is essential to to the province’s economic development, tourism growth, and overall connectivity.
While he is supporting the DOTr initiative, Lacson stressed that the private partner taking on the operations and development of the Bacolod-Silay Airport should have the proven capacity, resources, and vision to implement the necessary improvements.
The success of this project, he said, “depends greatly on choosing the right partner—one that is committed to public service, long-term sustainability, and development.”
“We look forward to working closely with the DOTr and all stakeholders to ensure that this transition, if it proceeds, will serve the best interests of our province and our people,” Lacson added.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) earlier committed P400 million for the upgrade of the Bacolod-Silay Airport.
CAAP will provide P200 million for the renovation of the terminal, while TIEZA will allocate P200 million for runway improvements, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez disclosed earlier. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds photo by tvds)
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