On Bacolod-Silay Airport: ‘Private Sector Has More Resources to Develop Airport’

The private sector has more resources to develop airports, said Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Monday as he reiterated his stand to support the proposed privatization of airports in the country, including the Silay-Bacolod Airport.

Lacson also addressed the concerns of some sectors on the proposal of Transportation Secretary Vinz Dizon who is pushing for the privatization of the regional airports in the Philippines.

He cited the improved facilities and services of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after a private company took over its operations.

The facility is now operated by the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC).

The NNIC is made up of San Miguel Holdings Corp, RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc., and Incheon International Airport Corp., which took over NAIA on September 14, 2024.

“There’s really a difference even in the cleanliness of the facilities. I even commended those I see cleaning and told them they are doing a good job. That’s a small thing. First of all, the improvement of the airport facilities itself,” he pointed out.

He said that if we wait for the government “it takes a while.”

He pointed to the case of the Bacolod-Silay Airport. After many local leaders requested for improvement, it is only now that the renovation is being undertaken.

“The private sector has more resources to introduce improvements in our airport. It’s the fuel cost that causes the increase or decrease of plane fares. We should be more worried about that,” he added.

Aside from the Bacolod-Silay Airport, the DOTr is also looking at the airports of Iloilo, Davao, Siargao, Laoag, Busuanga, Bicol, Tacloban, General Santos, and Puerto Princesa.*