The construction of the BIA in Barangay Alobo has been certified a priority by the Duterte administration under the “Build Build Build” program although it failed to meet its 2018 deadline. Tugade said the international airport is expected to finish in the third quarter and will be operational in December. Airport can survive and operate in the middle of a pandemic following IATF guidelines,” Tugade said when asked if the airport operation can survive during a pandemic. “I will land in Bicol International Airport finished or unfinished in July,” he said. Duterte personally visited the unfinished BIA following his election in 2016 and directed Tugade to expedite its construction.

Source: Manila Times May 14, 2021 18:45 UTC