Friday, August 17, 2007 Maricalum hasn't paid P50M tax liability to Sipalay By Ma. Ester L. Espina
"LET’S swap."
Sipalay City Vice Mayor Oscar Montilla simply tossed a deal to Maricalum Mining Company, owner of the 1.3 kilometer airstrip as against the mining company's tax delinquency pegged at P50 million to their City Government.
"Though, it’s not yet enough but we will take it because by re-opening the airport will surely bring more economic opportunities to our City in terms of pushing hard our tourism industry," he said.
The defunct Marinduque Industrial Mining Company (MIMC) now Maricalum established this airstrip in the 1960s. The airstrip used to accommodate small aircraft such as a twin engine profeller Queen Air, King Air and DC3 planes.
Negros Occidental 6th District Representative Genaro Alvarez said the airstrip is for smaller aircraft that have short take-off and landing time.
There was also a hangar and a Cherokee plane at the airstrip.
He said he will meet with the owner, Teodoro Bernardino, next week to negotiate they're opening of the airstrip.
He said in case negotiations fail, he will invite officials from the Air Transportation Office (ATO) to look at the airstrip. "We will ask ATO to help us in this airstrip just like what we did when we choose the best site for the Kabankalan airport," he said.
Alvarez will help Sipalay officials once the airstrip will be reopened.
