BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez plans to redevelop the old Bacolod Domestic Airport into a new economic hub.
Specifically, it is being envisioned as a site for the city government’s housing program.
Located in Barangay Singcang-Airport, the property covers 40 hectares. Of these, 20 hectares are owned by the Philippine National Bank (PNB). The other 20 hectares belong to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Benitez said PNB officials have expressed interest to join in whatever development is being planned for the old airport.
Benitez also revealed speaking to Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary Jaime Bautista on Thursday night about this.
The Secretary is willing to give the Bacolod City government a free hand in redeveloping the 20-hectare CAAP property into a new economic center.
This is not the first time that the city government made such a proposal. Back in 2017 during the inauguration of then city mayor Evelio Leonardia, then senator Franklin Drilon suggested the redevelopment of the old Bacolod Domestic Airport.
Drilon specifically proposed that the airport be transformed into a central business park similar to what Iloilo City did to the old Mandurriao Airport.
Drilon pointed out that developing the old airport would generate not just jobs for Bacolodnons but also income for the city government./PN
