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BACOLOD CITY — Candidates who won congressional seats in Negros Occidental revealed their plans to push big projects that include two domestic airports and a tourism program.
Comebacking Rep. Julio Ledesma IV of Negros Occidental's first district is proposing the construction of an airport inside the lawmaker's vast sugar estate.
Ledesma said he has been pushing the airport construction since his first term as congressman in 1998.
As the master development of the proposed airport was made in Singapore, Ledesma admitted he does not know why the three previous administrations did not act, stressing that all the needed documents and requirements prescribed by the Air Transportation Office and Civil Aeronautics Board have been complied with.
Ledesma, who served as representative of the Negros Occidental's first district for 18 years, admitted that he had initial talks and backdoor negotiations with the Department of Transportation, before he disclosed his plans to pursue the airport project in the 20th Congress.
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The lawmaker is optimistic his proposal would get a budget in the 2027 National Expenditure Program.
Mayor Renato Gustilo said it is a dream of San Carlos City to have an airport, which will further boost the economy of San Carlos City.
Re-elected 6th district Rep. Mercedes Alvarez is also pushing the completion of the Kabankalan City Domestic Airport, a project she considers crucial for economic development and tourism in Negros Occidental.
Alvarez has filed House Bill 2771, which aims to establish the Kabankalan airport, and is seeking additional funding to finalize its construction.
The airport, located in Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, is envisioned to include both cargo and passenger terminals, a control tower, and loading and navigation systems, with an initial runway of over 1,300 meters.
As to the additional budget for Kabankalan airport, under her sponsored bill, Alvarez said it will depend on the DOTr and Civil Aviation and Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Alvarez said she is hopeful that the Committee on Transportation in the 20th Congress will take up the Kabankalan Airport bill.
On the other hand, the CAAP has allocated an additional P205 million budget for the expansion of the Bacolod-Silay Airport terminal in Negros Occidental.
Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (4th district) bared plans that will boost the tourism industry, renewable energy and other projects needed to boost the economic growth in the fourth district.
Ferrer won as congressman with a margin of 57,000 over his closest opponent in Lea Delfinado.
Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo (fifth district) said he will focus on agricultural enhancement, especially in the sugar industry, and tourism development during his second term as congressman.
He cited the opening of common corridors between the fifth district and Negros Oriental, and the need to set up permanent relocation sites for residents affected by Kanlaon Volcano.
