Clark International Airport’s (CRK) new terminal building will be ready to serve passengers by the first month of next year following an order from Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade.

“Let’s make this operational by January of next year at the latest. I’m not inclined to make any extensions,” Tugade said on Wednesday.

This, the DOTr said, happened during an inspection of the new terminal building by government officials led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

“When we envisioned this project, nobody believed. But today, they must believe. I am very excited that this project is almost finished,” Tugade said.

Vince Dizon, Presidential Adviser for Flagship Projects and BCDA President and CEO, said the target set by Tugade will be followed, noting that the airport development project is nearing completion at a record rate — currently 99.14 percent complete since it begun construction in April 2018.

“From conceptualization to approval, now to execution and completion, the Duterte administration can boast on the fact of the fastest mega infrastructure project any government or any administration has undertaken,” Dizon said.

During the inspection, Medialdea commended Tugade and Dizon for the fast development of the project.

“This would have not been possible if not for Secretary Tugade na malakas manulak ng tao, magtrabaho. [At] si Vince Dizon, congratulations sa inyong dalawa (who is good at encouraging people. And Vince Dizon, congratulations to both of you),” Medialdea said.

The project, one of the Duterte administration’s flagship projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program, was envisioned to help spur economic growth in Central Luzon and help ease congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the DOTr said.

Once completed, the new terminal will triple the current passenger capacity of the CRK — from 4.2 million to 12.2 million passengers annually. (PNA)