President Duterte inaugurates infrastructure projects in Negros Oriental
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the inauguration Thursday of vital infrastructure projects in Negros Oriental seen to boost the province’s tourism sector as well as prop up the local economy.
“I commend the Department of Transportation, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and all our partners who contributed to the completion of this project despite the sudden lockdown due to the pandemic,” President Duterte said during the inauguration of the P252-million rehabilitation projects within the Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport.
The President said he hopes the airport rehabilitation initiatives will inspire the government to provide better services and opportunities for the people and harness the potential of trade and tourism as the catalyst for economic recovery, particularly in the provinces.
“I’m happy that you have a new airport. It’s a nice one and that I hope that it will promote the image, at least, and the tourism industry here or hereabout the Visayas,” he said.
The chief executive also assured the Filipino people that the administration would remain committed to completing infrastructure projects on time with the least inconvenience to the public and with strict adherence to honesty and integrity.
“Corruption has no place here,” he said.
As the country strives to revive the economy and give the people the opportunity for better lives, the President appealed to everyone to continue observing the prescribed health and safety protocols, whether in their homes or in public places.
The rehabilitation projects included the expansion of the existing Passenger Terminal Building and administrative building, which will allow Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport to accommodate bigger passenger volume, from around 300 or 330 passengers to more than 400 or 450 passengers.
It also included the extension of the airport’s asphalt runway overlay, as well as shoulder grade correction and construction of additional taxiways enabling it to accommodate heavier aircraft.
President Duterte also inaugurated the new Port Operations Building of the Port of Dumaguete, which he said, will enhance the seamless connectivity of the country’s islands, promote more vibrant trade and tourism, and bring growth to the countryside.
The President said that despite the pandemic, the new Port Operations Building was completed on October 15, 2020, through the combined efforts of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and other concerned agencies and government partners.
The P114-million two-story facility features a Port Integrated Clearing house, office spaces for PPA-Dumaguete employees, and a pre-departure area that can accommodate additional 500 passengers.
The facility is expected to generate annual passenger terminal fee collection of over P13 million.
“It will allow the public to enjoy a spacious and comfortable pre-departure area,” the President said.
“Further, it will provide our PPA-Dumaguete employees, regulatory agencies and other offices to be located here with state-of-the-art facilities for monitoring and facilitating the efficient arrival and departure of passengers,” he added. PND
