THE request for budget airline AirAsia to serve the Bacolod-Silay Airport got the support of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and Cabinet secretaries.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade assured representative Mikee Romero of AirAsia that "in the interest of more competition and better passenger options, the CAB fully supports the intention of AirAsia to enter the Bacolod market."

This developed after Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III also endorsed to Tugade the plan of Romero.

Leonardia said Romero, who is vice chairman of AirAsia, told him they expect to serve Bacolod in about a month after following procedures with CAB.

Leonardia, who was senior vice chair of the House committee on transportation when he was congressman, had asked the 1 Pacman party-list Representative Mikee Romero sometime ago for the budget airline to fly to Bacolod.

Leonardia said he met with Romero a few days ago in Manila and reminded him again about the plan, amid the brewing clamor from local passengers to bring down airfare rates in Bacolod.

Romero then assured the mayor he would put Bacolod-Silay Airport among their "top priority additional routes."

"Congressman Romero and I are in constant communications these days to ensure the entry of another airline," Leonardia said.

At present, only Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly to Bacolod-Silay Airport.

"When a third airline comes in, we should expect lower airfares for our local riding public," said Leonardia.

Meanwhile, he said that he will also lobby with civil aviation agencies to allow other airlines to serve the Bacolod market. (PR)