CAAP relieves airport manager
BY ADRIAN NEMES & GILBERT BAYORAN

Director General Ruben Esperon of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines ordered the relief of Bacolod-Silay Airport manager Antonio Alfonso effective this week pending the investigation of the theft of P240,000 in terminal fees.

On Sept. 14, the incoming airport terminal fee inspector discovered at about 5 a.m. that the Sept. 12 terminal fee collection was missing from their steel cabinet at the airport's second floor and immediately informed the management.

Silay City police chief, Supt. Jerry Bartolome earlier said they are eyeing an “inside job” angle for the theft because there were no visible signs of force in getting the money.

“It has been 30 years that Bacolod City has been showing its resiliency in overcoming challenges through thick and thin,” Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said as he officially opened the 30 th MassKara Festival last night.

“Today, our 2009 MassKara Festival is already the number one tourist attraction, an economic stimulant, and the icon of Bacolod,” he said at the opening program at the Bacolod public plaza that was followed by fireworks and a concert sponsored by festival co-presentor San Miguel Beer.

Leonardia said MassKara is a treasure of Bacolod and its face.

TOKYO , Japan – Gov. Isidro Zayco yesterday noted the huge boost domestic tourism brings to the Japanese economy when he visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Government tourism centers and tourist areas.

“Aside from attracting foreign tourists, we need to promote more domestic tourism in Negros,” he said, noting the success of the provincial government with the Mambukal Resort in Murcia that he plans to further improve.

He said more local governments in Negros Occidental should further promote domestic tourism to improve their local economies.