Monday, August 13, 2007 Editorial: Too late the heroes
BACOLOD Rep. Monico Puentevella is right in saying, “too late the heroes” for those who formed a group called “Retain the Old Airport Movement”, whose cause is to convince President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to retain the old Bacolod airport at Barangay Singcang even if the New Bacolod-Silay Airport of international standards will be operational soon.
Of course, the congressman and some observers are right in asking why only now and what’s the motive.
Although people behind this movement are respectable, credible and those whose integrity are really beyond question, yet, Puentevella is again right in asking: where were they eight years ago?
Yes, because the New Bacolod-Silay Airport was conceptualized during the incumbency of deposed president Joseph Estrada eight years ago.
And, everybody in Negros and Bacolod, including those who are now in the said movement, knew about the plan, location of the new airport and the plan about the old one in Singcang.
That’s why the prime movers behind the Retain the Old Airport Movement can’t blame the general public and the congressman if they suspect something on their motive.
One thing more, Puentevella said if people behind the movement would really, really like to retain the old airport, then, they should not deal with President Arroyo but with Mr. Lucio Tan, owner of Philippine Airlines, that owns almost 70 percent of the total land area where the old airport stands right now.
And, if Mr. Tan agrees to retain it for smaller planes, then , fine.
But if not, then, what a hopeless case! So, what’s the use of a signature drive?
