DOTr: Bicol International Airport to Operate by 2020
Updated as of January 9, 2020
Currently under construction in Albay, the Bicol International Airport (BIA) is set to be completed by June 2020, says Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade in a meeting with Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda last June 2019.
Image grabbed from Albay Rep. Salceda taken on June 21
The Php 4.8 billion airport was first conceptualized in 2016 and initially scheduled to be completed in 2018. It is set to be an international gateway in the South of Manila, which could help boost tourism projects in the region–especially in Albay, Masbate, and Sorsogon.
In a report by the Philippine News Agency in Bicol, the DOTr is now pushing for the project to be completed and operational by June 2020. Once completed, the BIA is expected to accommodate 2 million passengers annually.
Also read: Things to Do in Albay, Bicol
During a DOTR inspection last April, the airside of the airport comprising of the airstrip, runway, taxiway, apron, and the perimeter fence were already 100% complete, while the landside comprising of all the buildings and the site development are currently in the works.
https://www.facebook.com/DOTrPH/posts/1340459089426557?__xts__[0]=68.ARDE9nZMRl7Hy73PH6BXg_YdmtUXq83hX_J9W5qv-03XyIPHgJlzq1v2gQXV9qvz09EeMG7de8NfbVdJga-feK7XQkmd2oGq97mXHJl0iVpGfwxvRhfFFZpjn_fzZSTrdARGe1gUoJw1EgR7DK5MxAE1WwZEub2a4puGtKi64Aye3xpCTw655cgczz2hjkw5jbkVaNgDBw0cG5WGhd6IBP_YPe6014HF8Vm7E64AqZMo7sa1evXBLfAZJl32rLWtoxX4yL59_X3xtWRArSiYyiPniCUUmJC6JM2qM7INhlVuONOqbaVzGfA1d3cJx3r452z5CHUSqQ1nJepwRM1GZ7A80w&__tn__=-R
The BIA construction is currently in full blast to meet the June 27, 2020 deadline for the terminal, and November 2 for the land-side facilities. It will be equipped with new and higher capacity facilities to enhance the safety of airport operations.
Hailed as the ‘Most Scenic Gateway’, BIA will have the Mount Mayon in its background and is expected to boost Bicol’s tourism arrival, turning the region into an economic powerhouse.
Sources: Bicol Standard, PNA
Featured image grabbed from Albay Rep. Salceda
