The Department of Transportation on Friday vowed to complete the construction works on the Bicol International Airport within the year.
The BIA, known as the “Most Scenic Gateway” of the country, is now at 82.22-percent overall progress rate after 13 years of delay. Once operational, it is expected to serve 2 million passengers every year.
“The nation, especially the Bicolanos, have been waiting for the completion of Bicol International Airport. Before we were appointed, the project had three groundbreaking ceremonies. Now, the actual completion of the project is near,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
He said that in terms of job generation, 755 jobs were created during the airport’s construction phase, while 1,100 more indirect jobs await local residents once the airport becomes operational.
Package 2A of the BIA involving the construction of landside facilities and other buildings had a progress rate of 94.40 percent and is targeted to be completed this month.
Package 2B, covering the construction of the PTB and runway extension and the construction of the taxiway, drainage and other site development works, was 68.14-percent completed. It is expected to be finished by June this year.
Ongoing works for the embankment and construction of access road and slope protection were at 52.50 percent and were expected to be finished by October.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority committed to turn over the administration and operation of the Pantao Port in Libon to the provincial government of Albay effective June 1.
Tugade assured that the transfer of the Pantao Port from the PPA to Albay province was the subject of a thorough study.
He said there were extensive exchange of communications, negotiations and dialogs before the agency reached the decision.