President Rodrigo Duterte inaugurated P366 million in airport and port improvement projects in Negros Oriental Thursday afternoon, March 11, that he said are geared towards promoting more vibrant trade and tourism as a catalyst for economic recovery amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
These are geared towards enhancing connectivity of the Philippine islands to bring growth to the countryside, he said.
The P252 million airport improvements include the re-blocking of the apron, construction of two taxiways, expansion of the existing passenger terminal building, runway asphalt overlay and shoulder grade correction, and the expansion of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Administrative Building, the president said.
These development projects have increased the airport’s capability to accommodate heavier aircrafts and expanded the terminal passenger’s capacity from 330 to 450.
The president also inaugurated the P114 million Port Operations Building at the Port of Dumaguete in Dumaguete City
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the POB is a two-story building that will address the need for proper monitoring vessel of port arrivals and departures and will provide a new and modern Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) for those traveling to nearby islands.
Aside from having the capacity to serve an estimated 500 passengers, the POB also features the Port Integrated Clearing Office — a one-stop-shop intended to expedite the processing of entrance and departure clearances for domestic and foreign vessels and cargoes.
The president assured that his administration remains committed to finish all infrastructure projects on time with strict adherence to honesty and integrity.
“Corruption has no place here,” he said.
Earlier Thursday, March, 11, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, whom the president in his speech said wants to be president, led the blessing and inauguration of the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital Emergency Building and five ambulances.
Go also turned over an additional P4.7 million for the NOPH Malasakit Center.*