Bacolod-Silay airport gets minor cracks after quake

MANILA, Philippines – The Bacolod-Silay International Airport building showed some cracks after an quake hit Western Visayas last weekend. The cracks appeared on some of the concrete walls of the building, which has only been about seven months in operation, according to the online site of the Visayan Daily Star (www.visayandailystar.com). Some acoustic ceiling boards have also been dislodged. The areas below them have been cordoned off with yellow tape as a precaution, according to airport manager Antonio Alfonso. He added the damage was superficial and no cracks were spotted to the runaway. The airport has thus remained in full operation. Silay Mayor Jose Montelibano said the P5.6-billion airport, which began operations only last Jan. 18, remains structurally sound. Representatives of Takinaka, the Japanese firm that built the airport, inspected the damage Saturday and are set to submit a full report on their findings, Alfonso said. An earthquake had hit the area at 2:14 a.m. Saturday. Meanwhile, about 40 former porters at the Bacolod airport said they are seeking the help of Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella to get new jobs at the Silay airport. Puentevella said he would look into the concerns of the porters and raise the matter with the Department of Transportation and Communication. - GMANews.TV