New Naga Airport dev’t to boost economic dev’t in Bicol region: PBBM

FILE: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. invited on Monday Australian business leaders to consider investing in the Philippines as he welcomed opportunities for greater cooperation between the Philippines and Australia in terms of climate change and energy transition. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Friday the New Naga Airport Development Project is among the key infrastructure projects that would boost economic development in the Bicol Region.

During the distribution of land titles, support services, and financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk at the Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur, Marcos said other infrastructure projects to look forward to are the Camarines Sur Expressway and Pasacao-Balatan Tourism Coastal Road, which are expected to provide a better transportation system and improve the region’s economy.

“Asahan ninyo (na) lagi kaming may baong magandang balita at pasalubong – mula sa pagtatapos ng imprastraktura na aming ipinatayo hanggang sa mga programang aming pasisinayaan upang maging mas masagana ang pamumuhay dito sa Region 5 (Expect that we bring good news and gifts – from the completion of infrastructure to the programs that we initiated to make life prosperous in Region 5),” he said.

The President directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately complete other infrastructure projects, such as the flood control facility along the Bicol River to prevent flooding amid the incoming La Niña.

Marcos also assured Bicolanos of the government’s unhampered services, citing the launch of the Kadiwa ng Pangulo at Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Housing Project in Camarines Sur last year.

He said the administration has completed eight farm-to-market roads, totaling 8.32 km. and costing PHP193 million.

Nine other farm-to-market road projects are in the pipeline, totaling 31 km.

and costing PHP675 million, he added.

The President personally handed over PHP10.28 million in cash assistance to the provincial government of Camarines Norte and PHP50 million to Camarines Sur. They were received by Camarines Norte Governor Ricarte Padilla and Camarines Sur Governor Luigi Villafuerte, respectively.

He also distributed 1,208 Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) and electronic titles (e-titles) to 1,105 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

Of the figure, 237 CLOAs were awarded to 228 ARBs in Camarines Norte and 971 CLOAs to 877 ARBs in Camarines Sur.