Board member asks execs: Stop Bacolod airport chaos

BACOLOD CITY—A member of the Negros Occidental provincial board on Monday asked authorities to address the complaints of air travelers against chaos at the Bacolod-Silay Airport blamed on porters too eager to grab luggage and men in uniform whose presence at the airport’s baggage conveyor belt irks passengers.

According to some passengers, porters grab bags without asking permission from their owners and men wearing blue uniforms with “Civil Aviation Authority” markings are crowding out travelers at the airport’s baggage conveyor belt.

Once passengers step out, the hassle doesn’t stop. Men force them into public utility vehicles.

Board Member Nehemias de la Cruz, chair of the provincial board’s committee on tourism, called on airport authorities to look into the complaints.

De la Cruz said the first and last impression of a tourist about the province would be made at the airport.

Passengers must not be hassled at the airport, so they would have a good impression of the province, said De la Cruz.

June Madamba, Bacolod-Silay Airport officer in charge, said he would look into the complaints and act on them.

Madamba said the men in blue uniforms must be janitorial service employees who are not allowed to pick up baggage. He said he would look into complaints about passengers being waylaid by people trying to carry their bags or get vehicles for them. Carla P. Gomez, Inquirer Visayas