Tempo

Twin 2020 blessings for Bicol

- Johnny Dayang

W“Bicol

HEN it rains, it pours,” goes the adage which happily applies to and all Bicolanos this year. Finally, after a long delay and wait, the ₱4.8 billion Bicol Internatio­nal Airport (BIA) in Daraga, will eventually open this year. The blessing is further made joyful by the constructi­on kick-off for the equally vital ₱175billion Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Haul that stretches from Calamba City in Laguna to Matnog in Sorsogon.

Greatly elated by these developmen­ts is Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, House Ways and Means Committee chair who said DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade has assured him of the two events this year. Both projects are deemed vital to unlocking the economic potentials of Southern Luzon, particular­ly via tourism.

The BIA is hailed as the country’s “Most Scenic Gateway.” It is expected to play a huge role in helping realize soon the country’s 20-million annual foreign tourists arrivals target. Tourists flying in via BIA will land right at the heart of Bicol’s tourism hub, Albay, home of the world famous iconic Mayon Volcano and the historic Cagsawa Ruins.

Salceda had patiently worked on the projects for years, from his earlier stint in Congress and later as Albay governor and Bicol Regional Developmen­t Council chairman for nine years. Earnest constructi­on work on the BIA started in 2009. It is designed to accommodat­e two million passengers annually with its expanded and state-of-the-art facilities.

Work on the PNR South Long Haul, on the other hand, starts in the second quarter. The project compliment­s the BIA, and will further boost Bicol’s tourism by about 30%, which forms part of its predicted 24% economic returns to the countrysid­e when fully operationa­l. A component of the PNR Luzon System, it will reduce to only five hours the travel time over the 639-kilometer rail stretch from Manila to Legazpi City.

The PNR Luzon System is part of the government’s massive “Build, Build, Build” infrastruc­ture program. Salceda said the modern railways project will be a major backbone of economic developmen­t in Southern Tagalog and Bicol with spillover benefits to other regions. When finished, it will enhance the connectivi­ty of major airports, seaports and growth hubs in Southern Luzon and provide a fast and reliable alternativ­e transport system for untapped areas along its route.

From Manila, PNR’s new railway tracks will traverse Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Sur and Albay provinces before it reaches Matnog in Sorsogon.

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