President Rodrigo Duterte has lauded the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its secretary, Arthur Tugade, for the “excellent job” in completing the newly inaugurated Bicol International Airport (BIA) in Daraga, Albay.
In his regular Talk to the People televised Tuesday dawn, Duterte said Tugade has accomplished well in improving the transportation sector.
“I’d like to commend Tugade for the splendid work that he has done,” Duterte said.
Duterte, who led the inauguration of the airport last October 7, sees the newly opened airport to provide comfortable transit and better traveling experiences to people going to and from the Bicol Region.
The world-class airport, which offers a majestic view of the Mayon Volcano, is equipped with technology-driven and contactless transactions. The project’s overall construction cost amounts to PHP4.7 billion.
The project has created about 755 jobs with 1,100 more indirect jobs expected to become available once the airport begins commercial operations, the DOTr said.
Its original pre-feasibility study dates back in 1996 and the notice to proceed for its construction was given in 2003.
In a Facebook post Tuesday, Tugade acknowledged Duterte’s praises, saying the airport’s completion is for the comfort of Filipinos.
“Ang pagtatapos ng Bicol International Airport ay isang patunay na ang mga proyekto ng gobyerno ay walang halong kulay o pulitika (The completion of the Bicol International Airport is proof that government projects are not mixed with any political color),” he said. (PNA)
