The country’s newest airport, Bicol International Airport (BIA) in Daraga, Albay, that will replace the Legaspi Airport is on track for completion by next month and is set to be inaugurated this September.
Arthur Tugade, Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary, who led the inspection of BIA on May 13, said that after 13 years of delay, the project is finally moving at a swift pace, with an overall completion rate of 81.07 percent.
At present, the Package 2A of BIA, which covers the construction of landside facilities and other buildings, is 94 percent complete and is targeted to be finished this month.
Package 2B covering the construction of the passenger terminal building and runway extension, as well as the construction of the taxiway, drainage and other site development works is 68 percent complete. This is slated to be finished by next month.
In addition, ongoing works for the embankment, and construction of access road and slope protection have reached 52.50 percent at present. These are seen to be done this October.
The airport will boost air traffic and tourism arrivals in Bicol, and enable the province of Albay to become an economic powerhouse, as it expects to serve a total of two million passengers every year.
In terms of employment, 755 jobs have already been created during the construction phase, and 1,100 indirect jobs await the Bicolanos, once the airport opens.
“With BIA’s opening, the transport, tourism, and economy of the region will surely push forward,” said Jim Sydiongco, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general, who also joined the inspection.
CAAP said construction work is now 24/7 and the project, the newest hub and gateway to the Bicol Region, is set to be inaugurated this September.
Meanwhile, DOTr together with Albay Governor Alvin Bichara and Jay Santiago, Philippine Ports Authority general manager, conducted the ceremonial turnover of the management, operation and development of the Port of Pantao to the province of Albay.
