Airport type Public Location Daraga, Albay | Serves Legazpi | |
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Operator Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Address SLIA Access Road, Daraga, 4501 Albay, Philippines Similar Legazpi City Internatio, The Oriental LEGASPI, CAGSAWA RUINS, Hotel Venezia, Alicia Hotel | ||
Groundbreaking of bicol international airport bia
Bicol International Airport (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Bicol, Bikol: Pankinàban na Palayogan kan Bicol) is an under-construction international airport that will serve Legazpi, the capital city of Albay and the regional center of Bicol Region, in the Philippines.
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The airport is in the municipality of Daraga. The P3.5 billion project is on a 200-hectare plateau 15 kilometers from the Mayon Volcano. Some sources name the airport Southern Luzon International Airport (Filipino: Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Katimogang Luzon). It will replace the old Legazpi Airport, which is only 2 to 3 kilometers from the new one.
Background
Bicol International Airport was in planning since early 2006, when officials discussed the feasibility of an international airport in Legazpi. During March 4 and 5, 2006, officials in Daraga, where the airport would be constructed, discussed with the barangay captains of barangays Alobo, Inarado, Kinawitan, Burgos and Mabini over the conversion of agricultural lands into industrial lands for the airport. It is estimated to occupy at least 2 square kilometres of land, and many families could be displaced from the construction.
It will be the first international airport to be built in Bicolandia and, according to Daraga Mayor Gerry Rodrigueza Jaucian, would be a testament to economic growth in the region and of the dreams of Bicolanos, as shown in the following excerpt from the Manila Times:
"We’re grateful to the President for fulfilling the Bicolanos’ dream to have an international airport. This is the realization of our quest to become one of the booming regions in the country."Construction
On July 2007, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications), to fast-track the paperwork on the planned new airport. President Macapagal-Arroyo released 85 million pesos for its advance engineering study. Tourism secretary Ace Durano has assured the allotment of P250 million for the purchase of land. As of November 2007, pre-construction activities such as the feasibility study and site development plan have been completed. The construction contract has been bid for.
The airport was originally scheduled for completion in 2014. However, due to a construction delay, the project was expected to be finished at an unspecified date before 2016. In June 2015, it was reported that the construction is 47% done and would be finished in July 2017, but in July 2016 it was reported that the construction would be delayed further and would be finished in August 2018.
In September 2012, the Budget Department released P4.6 billion to support the public-private partnership (PPP) projects of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC). Of the total, the airport will receive P2 billion to develop and fund the engineering of runways and taxiways.