Old airports

DURING the presidential term of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, both Iloilo and Bacolod cities acquired new airports.

What happened to the old airports?

The old Iloilo City airport at Mandurriao had a land area of 54 hectares, which was sold for P1.09 billion. This corresponds to approximately P2,000 per square meters, an amount which some considered to be generous for the purchaser. The airport was converted to a central business park which we see today.

And the old Bacolod City airport? This consisted of 37 hectares. Twenty hectares were owned by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The other 17 hectares were then owned by Lucio Tan.

Unfortunately, a project to make good use of the airport in Bacolod City did not materialize and the land has been under-utilized ever since.

Last week’s report that plans are afoot to redevelop the old Bacolod airport is most welcome. The economic benefit to Bacolod City will be substantial.

The reported land area is 40 hectares. Of this area, 20 hectares are now owned by the Philippine National Bank (PNB) and the other 20 hectares is still owned by CAAP.

Bacolod mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has revealed that he discussed the potential conversion project with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista who is reportedly willing to give the Bacolod City government the authority to redevelop the 20 hectare CAAP property into a new economic center.

Benitez also said PNB officials have expressed interest to join in the development project.

Overall, this is good news, and we look forward to a successful implementation of a project that should have been undertaken years ago.

The project is envisioned as a site for the city government’s housing program. This is clearly feasible though land use decisions will come under more scrutiny in future.

For example, President Marcos’ wish that no Filipino will ever go hungry begs the question as to how we are going to implement this desirable objective.

We now have a population of over 110 million which under current projections will grow to 120 million before Marcos steps down in 2028.

How much additional land will be required in order to achieve the President’s laudable goal?/PN