BACOLOD CITY – The Bureau of Immigration has denied the request of the city government of Bacolod to set up immigration and quarantine desks at the Bacolod-Silay Airport to accommodate tourists boarding charter flights from South Korea.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he is seeking reconsideration from Immigration chief Ricardo David Jr. after he received the latter’s letter dated Dec. 28, 2013 denying the request.

In the letter, David said the Bureau of Immigration is in no position to accede to it now because prevailing manpower and equipment restrictions limit their available resources.

Instead, David proposed that the flights from South Korea be diverted to the Iloilo International Airport where the Commission can provide the necessary immigration services.

City Administrator John Orola, who was instructed by Leonardia to meet with David, said both the Bacolod-Silay and Iloilo airports have the same stature.

The Iloilo Airport in Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan towns opened in June 14, 2007 while the Bacolod-Silay Airport started its operations on Jan. 18, 2008.

“It wouldn’t be fair that immigration services are provided at the Iloilo Airport and not the Bacolod-Silay Airport,” Orola said.

Last month, Orola announced that nine chartered flights from Incheon, South Korea facilitated by travel agency Modetour Network Inc. will arrive in the province from January 10 to February 7. 

The flights are expected bring in 1,400 to 1,500 Koreans golf enthusiasts to the province.

In a Dec. 14, 2012 letter, Modetour Network Inc. Chief Executive Officer Ki Jeong Hong sought assistance from Leonardia and the city government to push for the installation of customs immigration and quarantine services at the Bacolod-Silay Airport.

Orola added that if foreign tourists have to pass through Iloilo before coming to Bacolod, this will pose travel difficulties for them and increase the cost of tour packages.

For his part, Leonardia told David in a letter, that Bacolod-Silay Airport needs to start putting in place its capability to receive international flights to boost its tourism industry.

“The manpower equipment constraints of the Bureau of Immigration could be overcome with the help of local government units and tourism stakeholders of Negros Occidental,” he added.

In January last year, direct  flights of Zest Airways from Incheon carrying golfing enthusiasts landed at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, but remaining trips were cancelled due to the softening of the Korean tourist market.

The  Koreans  came for three-day golf tours at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Murcia town, Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City, and Victorias Golf and Country Club in Victorias City.*NLG