President Rodrigo Duterte has lauded the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its secretary, Arthur Tugade, for the “excellent job” in completing the newly inaugurated Bicol International Airport (BIA) in Daraga, Albay.

In his regular Talk to the People televised Tuesday dawn, Duterte said Tugade has accomplished well in improving the transportation sector.

“I’d like to commend Tugade for the splendid work that he has done,” Duterte said.

Duterte, who led the inauguration of the airport last October 7, sees the newly opened airport to provide comfortable transit and better traveling experiences to people going to and from the Bicol Region.

The world-class airport, which offers a majestic view of the Mayon Volcano, is equipped with technology-driven and contactless transactions. The project’s overall construction cost amounts to PHP4.7 billion.

The project has created about 755 jobs with 1,100 more indirect jobs expected to become available once the airport begins commercial operations, the DOTr said. (PNA)