P780 million released for Albay airport

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  – Albay Gov. Joey Salceda thanked President Aquino for the initial release of P780 million to fast-track the ongoing work at the Southern Luzon International Airport in Daraga town.

Salceda said the advanced engineering study and detailed design costing P62 million have been completed and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) already issued the environmental compliance certificate on July 20 last year.

“The processing of payment for lot owners in the area is still going on,” Salceda told The STAR.

The airport project was bid out in August last year, although the excavation was suspended due to site acquisition and relocation of families affected by the 150-hectare airport.

Salceda said 85.92 percent of the concreting of the access road to the airport has been completed.

“Bicolanos are most hopeful and most thankful for this strong support of President Aquino’s administration to the development of Bicol, as the new, modern and international airport could surely boost tourism which is the region’s biggest potential and where it enjoys comparative advantages,” he said.

The P3.44-billion airport is scheduled to be completed in two years.

Salceda said the airport can complement the economic strategies being relentlessly pursued by the provinces in the region that focus on eco-cultural and recreational tourism landmarks such as Mayon Volcano, Cagsawa Ruins, Misibis, Lignon Hill, Tiwi geothermal plant, Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex, and whale shark interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon.