As Bong Go highlights PH's Golden Age of Infrastructure

President Rodrigo Duterte, together with Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and other officials, attended the inauguration of the Bicol International Airport (BIA) in Daraga town, Albay province on Thursday, October 8. The BIA, considered the first international airport in Luzon south of the National Capital Region, is expected to boost tourism and economic development in the Bicol Region.

"Kahit sa gitna ng pandemya, nananatiling nagsusumikap ang ating pamahalaan para ipagpatuloy ang mga mahahalagang proyekto sa ating komunidad," said Go.

"Ito ay patunay ng malasakit at dedikasyon ng Duterte Administration sa paglilingkod sa buong taumbayan. Sisiguraduhin nating walang maiiwan sa ating pagbangon mula sa krisis," he added.

The airport includes a 2,500-meter runway with take-off capabilities and night landing, as well as cargo and passenger terminal and an air traffic control tower, fire station, parking lot, and amenities.

According to the Department of Transportation, the BIA, dubbed as the "most scenic gateway", generated 755 jobs during its construction and is set to create 1,100 more indirect jobs once operations commence.

In the country's so-called Golden Age of Infrastructure, Go told Filipinos that no region will be left behind, saying "Hindi po natin nakakalimutan isama ang Bicol Region sa Golden Age of Infrastructure ng ating bansa."

"Tiyak po ako na ang bagong pasilidad na ito ay makakatulong sa paglago sa Bicol, lalo na sa sektor ng turismo habang dahan-dahan nating binubuksan ang ating ekonomiya," he added.

Meanwhile, Go also reassured the public that he will continue to pursue the completion and expansion of infrastructure development initiatives to achieve a more equitable economic development across the country.

Go has been vocal in his support for the country's infrastructure development. He said that the construction of new airports will bring in jobs and economic opportunities outside Metro Manila and will provide livelihood to Filipinos, especially those who were left jobless due to the pandemic.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Go has strongly supported the funding of numerous infrastructure initiatives nationwide.

"Walang humpay ang ating paglilingkod. Pinag-aaralan natin ang lahat ng posibleng paraan na maaaring makapagpabilis sa daloy ng serbisyo at makatulong sa ating mga kababayan. Para naman sa amin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, basta kapakanan ng mga Pilipino, ipaglalaban namin 'yan hanggang sa huli," Go said.

Earlier, Go attended the opening of the first 18-kilometer section of the Central Luzon Link Expressway project with Duterte on July 15 in Tarlac City. The newly opened highway is intended to reduce the usual journey time between Cabanatuan City and Tarlac City from 70 minutes to just 20 minutes once it is fully operational. It will also be toll-free.

Go also attended the inauguration of the Cavite - Laguna Expressway Silang East Interchange section on August 24 and the Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Link Road Project in Taguig City on September 30.

As a vice presidential candidate in the upcoming elections, he vowed to ensure that the positive change initiated by President Duterte will be continued in order to provide a more comfortable life for all Filipinos.

"Ipagpapatuloy ko ang mga magagandang programa tulad ng libreng edukasyon, libreng pagpapagamot tulad ng serbisyo mula sa Malasakit Centers, Build Build Build Projects, at marami pang iba tungo sa ating hangarin na mabigyan ng mas maginhawa at komportableng buhay ang mga Pilipino," Go said earlier.