MANILA, Philippines -- Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza opened yesterday for commercial operations the P5.7-billion New Bacolod-Silay Airport.

The new Bacolod-Silay Airport will replace the existing Bacolod City Airport.

Located in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City, the new airport was built to cater to the increasing number of passenger and cargo traffic in Negros Occidental and its influence areas.

"It will boost the business and economic activities in the Western Visayas region," Mendoza said.

Vice President Noli de Castro led the inauguration ceremonies together with Secretary Mendoza.

Construction of the new airport was funded under the New Bacolod (Silay) Airport Development Project of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for P5.6 billon.

Project contractor is Takenaka-Itochu Joint Venture (TIJV), while the consultant is the Pacific Consultants International (PCI).

The new airport has a control tower that is capable of handling all weather and night landing operation.

The runway can accommodate an Airbus A-330 aircraft, while the apron can hold five aircrafts at a time.

The terminal building is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger boarding bridges, flight information display system, mechanized baggage handling system (inbound and outbound baggages), security X-ray machines, elevators and escalators.

The terminal has three floor levels. The ground floor is designed to hold 12 check-in counters, public concourse, arrival area and information counter. The second floor has the pre-departure area with VIP and CIP lounges, ATO offices, Airport Security holding room, clinic and nursery rooms, while the third floor serves as the view deck with a concession area and electro-mechanical rooms.

The airport is also equipped with crash, fire and rescue vehicles and airport maintenance equipment.