The Department of Transportation said Friday the Bicol International Airport is on track to be operational by end of this year.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the BIA, dubbed as the “country’s most scenic gateway” with the iconic Mayon Volcano as its backdrop, would start operations within the year.
Once completed, the gateway is expected to boost air traffic in the Bicol Region and accommodate 2 million passengers annually.
The construction of the P4.798-billion BIA in Barangay Alobo, Daraga, Albay was certified a priority by the Duterte administration under the “Build, Build, Build” program. It started pre-construction works in 2008.
The airport project gained traction when Tugade directed the DOTR’s air sector to fast track its construction.
Under the direction of Tugade, the project employed 755 workers despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Another 1,100 indirect jobs would be created for locals once the airport became operational.
Meanwhile, the two contractors of the airport project committed to complete all civil works under their respective contracts by Aug. 30.
The DOTR said that as of July 28, the BIA’s construction accomplishment rate stood at 89 percent. This included Package 2A and Package 2B of the project.
Package 2A was 96-percent accomplished and was expected to be fully completed by Aug. 30, subject to further necessary works after an inspection by the DOTR and by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Included in Package 2A are the construction of the airport’s air traffic control tower, administration building, crash fire rescue building and cargo terminal building.
Package 2B was at 86-percent completion and was expected to be fully completed by end of August. Package 2B includes the construction of the passenger terminal building which was 90.5-percent completed. The building was expected to be finished by Aug. 31.
Also included in Package 2B is the extension of the airport’s runway which was 75-percent finished. It would be completed by Aug. 31, according to the DOTR.
The BIA is expected to be technically operational by Oct. 7 and to be night-rated by Nov. 4.