Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said that he is willing to sit down with Rep. Monico Puentevella to discuss the solon's position on a development plan for the old Bacolod airport and they can decide accordingly after the latter has presented his proposal.

Leonardia said as of the moment, his priority is to ensure that the Bacolod airport is maintained. "If we talk of an area of 37 hectares, we cannot use it as a special economic zone and an airport at the same time." He said it is only possible on the assumption that the airport operates and they extend the land so they could create an ecozone. He said they also dream of putting up a seaport in the area.

Leonardia said if they put up an ecozone in the present site there should be an airport to service it. He said these days more use the airport than the seaports to ship out their products. "If there is no chance to operate the airport then they can talk about considering an ecozone in the area," he added.

On the other hand, Puentevella, who is against the retention of the Bacolod airport, said he is challenging Leonardia, Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph and United Architects of the Philippines local chapter to work with him and develop a plan for the area.

Once we have done it, we can all see the president, he said.

Puentevella said the stand of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is still to sell the airport property for P800 million at a minimum, but he is hoping they can convince her to change her mind by coming up with a development plan.

Of the 37-hectare airport property, 20 hectares is owned by PAL chairman Lucio Tan and 17 hectares is owned by the national government.

However, Leonardia said he has received information that out the 17-hectare property, 8 to 9 hectares is owned by the Lizares family. He said the property was expropriated with the condition that if it will no longer serve as an airport, the owners will have the right to purchase it back.

Leonardia said if this happens what will be left of the government property will be less than 17 hectares and this could change all the dreams and the plans they have for the area.

On the other hand, he said if it is true that a portion of the 17-hectare government property is owned by the Lizares family, this will even strengthen the position of the advocates of the retention of the airport considering that Tan said he favors the retention.

Leonardia said "We might as well go all out for the retention." He said the ecozone, the seaport and the extension can come later after they are able to achieve the approval of the President.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod had unanimously approved a resolution to ask from the President the remaining 17-hectare property, Leonardia said.

"Therefore, the congressman should first support the retention of the airport although I will respect whatever his position is, he added."*NLG/CGS

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