BACOLOD City – The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in Western Visayas has initiated the rehabilitation of Bacolod-Silay Airport facilities, focusing particularly on the comfort rooms, following public complaints.
A social media post by a concerned citizen highlighted the poor maintenance of the men’s comfort rooms in both the pre-departure and arrival areas of the airport.
The complaints detailed the absence of toilet bowl seats, the lack of tissue paper and bidets, defective urinal sensors, foul odors, and stained floors in the pre-departure comfort room.
Similarly, the arrival area comfort room was reported to have defective urinal sensors, clogged urinals, and an absence of bidets and tissue paper, along with stained floors.
In response, CAAP Area VI’s official social media page acknowledged the complaints, announcing that renovations and repairs at the airport had already commenced.
The ongoing improvements include the repair and cleaning of comfort rooms in the passenger terminal building and the enhancement of water filtration systems.
Additionally, booster pumps and street lights have been replaced.
CAAP Area VI has requested the public’s understanding and patience during the inconvenience caused by the ongoing renovations. They reassured that the management is committed to ensuring the airport serves as a clean and comfortable gateway to Negros Occidental.
Last year, the CAAP central office allocated P80 million for the development of Bacolod-Silay Airport.
During a visit in September, CAAP Director General Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo expressed disappointment with the airport’s condition, criticizing its security, management, and maintenance.
“That’s not acceptable to me; that’s insulting,” he commented, subsequently issuing strict orders to airport staff to enhance security and maintenance protocols to ensure the protection and upkeep of the airport’s facilities.
Located in Silay City, Negros Occidental, Bacolod-Silay Airport, which opened in 2008, replaced the Bacolod Domestic Airport in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City.
Playing a crucial role in the travel infrastructure of Negros Occidental and the Western Visayas region, the airport significantly contributes to the area’s tourism and economic development.
Despite being designated as an international airport, it currently operates as a Class 1 Principal domestic airport by CAAP standards.
There have been multiple proposals to develop, operate, and maintain the airport through a public-private partnership agreement. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
