CAAP, TIEZA commit P400-M for Bacolod-Silay Airport upgrade

March 18, 2025

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) have committed PHP400 million for the upgrade of the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Negros Occidental.

In an interview Tuesday, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said CAAP committed PHP200 million for the terminal renovation while TIEZA pledged PHP200 million for runway improvement.

“Since there is a changing of the guard in CAAP, I will follow it up. The last director general committed PHP200 million to renovate the airport. I will contact them again to implement their commitment,” he said.

Benitez said in its current state, the Bacolod-Silay Airport is crowded while the restrooms and the escalator often malfunction.

The passenger terminal building is undergoing renovation with a funding of PHP41.851 million sourced from the CAAP’s 2024 Annual Procurement Plan.

The project was bid out July last year and set for completion within 360 calendar days.

With total coverage area of 13,469.18 square meters, it includes structural works like removal and disposal of existing roofing sheet and ceiling panels, including lighting fixtures, wires and conduits, as well as architectural, electrical and mechanical works.

The airport, located in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City, was inaugurated on July 13, 2007 ahead of its formal opening as an airport of international standards on Jan. 18, 2008.* (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)