Bicol International Airport now 72.2% complete —DOTr

The construction of the P4.978-billion Bicol International Airport Development project is gaining significant progress as its completion rate is now at 72.2%, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Wednesday.

The actual construction of the airport started in December 2016.

The high double-digit completion rate is the project’s overall progress rate comprising Packages 2A and 2B.

In particular, as of January 13, 2021, Package 2A of the airport development is now 88.2% complete.

Construction work in Package 2A is being handled by the Sunwest Construction and Development Corp. and covers the airport’s landside facilities, such as the Administration Building, Air Traffic Control Building, Crash Fire Rescue Building, and the Maintenance Building, according to the DOTr.

Meanwhile, Package 2B of the airport project is now 49.5% complete. 

Package 2B, being handled by the E.M. Cuerpo construction company, covers the construction of the passenger terminal building (PTB), taxiway, runway extension, and other site development works.

Once completed, the Bicol International Airport, which features the iconic Mayon Volcano as its backdrop, is expected to serve two million airline passengers every year, the DOTr said.

The new international airport is also projected to boost air traffic in the region amid the existing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Bicol International Airport initially started construction in 2008. 

However, development works were uncompleted until 2012. 

“When the Duterte administration came in 2016, the airport's Package 2A and 2B projects were continued,” the DOTr.

An important component of the Duterte Administration’s “Build, Build, Build” Program, the airport also intends to be instrumental in the transformation of Albay Province, and the rest of the Bicol Region, into a strong economic contender.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade stressed the importance of having continuous transport infrastructure developments such as the BIA, which will prove vital as the country starts recovering from the impact of COVID-19.

“It can’t be denied that the aviation sector has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. That’s why it is important that we finish the airport at the soonest possible time, as this will absolutely give the economy a boost. Gusto ko matapos ‘yan within the year dahil gusto na natin itong agad na mapakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan. As we ready for take-off, kung baga, dapat all systems go,” Tugade said. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News