Iloilo, Bacolod airport terminal fees to go up Feb. 4

MANILA, Philippines - Effective Feb. 4, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will raise fees and charges at the new airports in Iloilo province and Bacolod-Silay in Negros Occidental. Online news site Visayan Daily Star reported that the terminal fee will be P200 from P30, according to Bacolod-Silay Airport manager Antonio Alfonso. Alfonso said the increase was being implemented following public hearings held in Silay and Iloilo last year. Under CAAP Board Resolution 08-015, the new fees and charges were arrived at after due public hearings and were deemed "fair and reasonable." Also, the resolution noted that the revised fees and charges were reviewed by the CAAP Committee on Fees and Charges. The new rates also cover landing and take off fees, parking fees, lighting charges, rental of floor space at the passenger and cargo terminal buildings, and concession privilege fees. The P5.6-billion Bacolod-Silay Airport, located 15 kilometers northeast of Bacolod City on a 181-hectare site in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City, opened on Jan. 18 last year. President Arroyo had said efforts must be made to bring direct international flights to the Bacolod-Silay airport to boost local tourism. - GMANews.TV