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Pro-Cathedral of Silay City / San Diego del Alcala Pro-Cathedral

It was me who chose to go to Negros on Sunday morning…on a very unholy hour of the first flight. I would rather make the most out of that Sunday, that’s why my Airphil Express flight was the first one bound for Bacolod–and still no signs of Typhoon “Juan” back then…Good! Now at least I’ll get to start my day by going around at “Paris of Negros”…Ciudad Silay.

Calle Rizal (National Highway) at Silay City--di ba laidback?

Tarmac of Bacolod Silay Airport

The first flight to Manila is surely full!

Bacolod-Silay Airport

It was around 6am when we landed at Bacolod-Silay Airport, about 20 kilometers from Bacolod City center. The night before was raining, obviously because of the wet pavement. Anyhow, I got out of the airport the cheapest way possible, and that’s the tricycle….

The Cheapest Way Out of Bacolod Silay Airport -- Tricycle!

For only P10 along with other passengers, manong driver will zoom you out and all the way to the highway. Dirty cheap as compared to air-conditioned shuttle vans that charge you P150 (more expensive than its Iloilo counterparts of P70 one way!) Since it was too early for me to go to Bacolod, I just had a leisurely stroll at Silay City’s centro historico.

Old Arcaded Heritage Buildings of Silay City

El Ideal was still closed. Darn it! I should’ve eaten that famed guapple pie!

Calle Rizal and Pro-Cathedral of Silay City

The plaza looks serene. Even the main road, Rizal Street, is still waking itself up. In the Visayas, they say, there’s nothing to be hurried about–and obviously its a Sunday!

Trike time!

Perk up the day with cleaning up the streets!

The Pro-Cathedral of Silay or San Diego de Alcala Pro-Cathedral is full of church-goes for the early morning mass. As I walked through main road, passing by some of the pre-World War II buildings such as the Baldevia Building and the renovated RCBC bank (partially by Dinky Von Eisendel, an urban planner). The row of concrete arcaded buildings reminded me of downtown Calle Real of Iloilo City–although smaller, but still in better shape.

The arcaded buildings of Silay City

Cesar Locsin-Lacson Ancestral House (Now RCBC Silay)

Other than those neo-classical buildings, row houses of bahay na bato or “Antillan” architecture dominate the street scene. Notably, that of the house of Bernandino, or known as the “Pink House.”

Pink House of Silay City

Still earlier in the morning, Silay City is relaxed–no hurry. Still living a genteel life after the ups and downs of the sugar economy. Its quarter to 7am–and I should go to Bacolod City to bring my bag and rest for a while at my lola’s place. I’ll leave Silay–for now. Because a few hours later, I’ll be back.

Leon!

Breaking dawn at Ciudad Silay with the aroma of molasses all over. What a great thing to start up my day in Sugarlandia of the Philippines!

The trucks that carry Negros Occidental's lifeblood

Maayong aga Nakatundang Negros! Magasugod na ko sa akon nga adventure sa subong nga adlaw!

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Bacolod-Silay Airport Lobby

It was 7PM of the 22^nd of January when I arrived at Bacolod’s new airport (which is in Silay City, some 20 kilometers away from Bacolod’s downtown). As usual, I opt to go the cheapest way to get out of the airport. Shuttle vans are about P100 and taxis are more expensive. I wrote not so long ago on how to get in or out of the Bacolod-Silay Airport when you’re a tightwad and budget-stricken traveler like moi. But here’s an update on that…

If you would like to catch a glimpse on how much is the taxi fare going to Bacolod City and its environs, check the photo below (click the photo to view larger image):

This is the taxi fare matrix at Bacolod-Silay Airport. Kinda steep for a budget traveler (Click the picture to view larger image)

The guards and the airport employees would always do with their recommendation of bringing the traveler comfortably and conveniently that is why when you ask them around, they’ll suggest just taking the shuttle service or getting a cab. But go further into the main gate of the airport and you’ll be at a junction of the road going towards Silay City downtown and Guimbala-on. There are tricycles waiting for potential passengers and airport employees to hitch in a ride.

Here’s the deal though. If you take the tricycle all by yourself, you’re opted to pay PhP50 (almost US$1.00). But if you wait for other passengers and fill the 6-seater commuter, you’ll get to pay only PhP10.00! The same pakyaw system in Manila and the provinces apply. Of course, if it is still daytime, you might as well wait for a tricycle or a multicab at the corner coming from Guimbala-on (but be ready for the searing heat or rain as there is no waiting shed at the corner.

Bacolod-Silay Airport Arrival Area

Yet if you find this cheap option inconvenient, then just read the rest of the article by clicking here.

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The New Airports in Iloilo and Bacolod-Silay will be increasing their terminal fees starting September 22 of this year. From the original PhP 30, it will now be increased into PhP200.00.

Here’s an article from Panay News for further information:

Iloilo, Silay airports raise fees this month

Source: Panay News Philippines (06 September 2008)

ILOILO City – Starting September 22, the airports in Iloilo Province and Silay City in Negros Occidental will increase their fees and rates of services, said Engr. Allan Java who manages the two airports of international standards under the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

He said they are only waiting for the signature of CAAP Director General Ruben Siron to implement the increase.

“It is but proper that we increase the regular fees. The two airports have been bearing the brunt of high electricity expenses,” Java said.

The electricity bill of the Iloilo airport alone is reaching a minimum of P2.5 million every month.

Power distributor Iloilo Electric Cooperative (ILECO) I has been threatening to cut the electricity at the airport because of management’s failure to pay three month’s worth of electric bill.

“We lag behind in paying our bills because of low income of the airport,” Java said.

The airport management has conducted two public hearings for their concessionaires regarding the increase in fees and services in Iloilo and Silay airports, prior to the final implementation this month.

At present, the two airports are charging a P30 terminal fee for passengers. It will be increased to PhP200. (PNA)

URL:
http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo4.htm

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Barely several months after the opening of the new Iloilo Airport in June 2007, the City of Smiles has also opened the newest gateway to Sugarlandia of the Philippines itself. In January 2008, the old Singcang Airport in Bacolod City has ceased operations and transfered to the new facility about 20 kilometers away from the Bacolod, located in Hacienda Bagtic in the City of Silay. In line with the upcoming Masskara celebrations this October, Taralets would give some tips on how to get in and out of the new airport.

By being far from the city center, here are some tips in how to get in and out of the new airport facility:

1. As usual, the ever reliable taxi cabs. Although the most expensive yet the most convenient among all of the public transport serving the airport. It is pegged at around P250-P500 for the trip from the airport to Bacolod City.
2. For those who wanted cheap transportation direct, there are shuttle services in Robinsons, Gaisano City and SM City Bacolod that leaves 2 hours prior to departurte time. Unlike its Iloilo counterpart, the shuttle uses coaster buses at a cost of more or less P100 per trip.
3. You may take the usual jeepney from Bacolod City (terminal at “Shopping” or Mandalagan area) to Silay City. Drop yourself off at the city plaza and there are colorum shuttle services that may cost you P200-P400 for a special trip, P50 for ordinary trip (together with other passengers). Even though if SIlay City is near the airport, but this is one of the most expensive public transport there is.
4. Taking the Silay City jeepney from Bacolod, drop yourself off at the Public Market which is also at the city center of Silay. You may ride the jeepney/multicab or tricycle bound for Gintubdan. And for more or less P10-12, you may be able to reach the airport. But a tip though, although this is the most affordable, yet this is the most inconvenient way to go to the airport. You may get crammed in or will have to wait for other passengers to load up the transport.