The construction of the Bicol International Airport (BIA), which is touted as the country’s “most scenic gateway”, is moving at a fast pace.

To date, the construction work of the BIA has been logged at 72.2 percent overall progress rate, considering that the actual construction of the airport only started in December 2016.

As of January 13, Package 2A of the airport’s development project is now 88.2 percent 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.

Package 2B of the airport project, meanwhile, is now 49.5 percent complete. Package 2B, which is being handled by the E.M. Cuerpo construction company, covers the construction of the passenger terminal building, taxiway, runway extension, and other site development works.

Once completed, the BIA, which features the iconic Mayon Volcano as its magnificent backdrop, is expected to serve a total of two million airline passengers every year. The new international airport is also projected to boost air traffic in the region amid the pandemic.

The BIA 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.

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

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said having continuous transport infrastructure developments such as the BIA would 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 (I want this to finish within the year because we wanted our fellowmen to use this soon). As we ready for take-off, kung baga, dapat all systems go,” Tugade said. (PNA)