Marcos orders faster expansion of Naga airport, revival of Bicol Express
LEGAZPI CITY—President Marcos has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to fast-track the expansion of the airport in Naga City and the revival of the Bicol Express railway project to support local economies and domestic tourism.
Camarines Sur second district Rep. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte told the Inquirer on Friday in a private message that the directive was issued during the Bicol Regional Development Council meeting, which Mr. Marcos presided, on March 7 in Pili town.
Villafuerte said the President assigned DOTr Undersecretary Timothy John Batan to address delays in these infrastructure projects.
“The Naga Airport expansion aims to accommodate larger aircraft, boosting connectivity and tourism, while the Bicol Express project seeks to reduce travel time between Metro Manila and Bicol to four hours,” Marcos said at the meeting.
Runway upgrade
Villafuerte expressed confidence that newly appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon would prioritize these initiatives.
He also urged Dizon to postpone any decision regarding the relocation of turboprop flights from Manila International Airport in Pasay City to Clark International Airport in Pampanga until the runway expansion is completed.
The Naga Airport runway expansion project will extend the current 1.3-kilometer strip to 2 km, enabling it to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Airbus A320, which is expected to boost Bicol’s trade and tourism.
The Naga Airport expansion is part of the P7.7-billion Aviation Infrastructure Program, which includes runway upgrades for 15 airports across the country.
