P20-B expansion project for Bacolod airport OK’d

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A P20-billion project for the expansion of the Bacolod-Silay airport in Silay City, Negros Occidental has been approved by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia, vice chairman of the House committee on transportation and communications, said yesterday DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya confirmed the project during abudget hearing of the House committee on appropriations last Wednesday.

Leonardia said the expansion would be implemented in three phases over the next 20 years. 

“Work is expected to start late next year or early 2016.  The bidding is scheduled late this year,” Leonardia said in a press statement.

The project will be implemented by the DOTC under an “operate-add-transfer” scheme with the private sector, he added.

“The P20-billion project is expected to create a multiplier effect on the economy because this will also be a private sector investment,” Leonardia said.

With an annual growth rate of 10.12 percent, passenger traffic at the Bacolod-Silay airport has been steadily growing from 840,000 in 2008 to 1.04 million in 2009; 1.04 million in 2010; 1.31 million in 2012; and 1.36 million in 2013.

The project will enable the airport to handle three million passengers by 2025; five million in 2035; and 8.3 million in 2045.

At present, the Bacolod-Silay airport can accommodate 800,000 passengers.