NDF slams DU30 on BIA construction

By Paulo DS. Papa

THE National Democratic Front (NDF) in Bicol assailed President Duterte due to the construction of the Bicol International Airport (BIA). The militant group claimed that because of the facility many farmers were displaced from their farms and made the areas surrounding the airport as flood-prone.

Maria Roja Banua, NDF-Bicol’s spokesperson in a press statement, said around 6,956 individuals were turned homeless after they were evicted from their lands by the government to give way to the construction of the airport.

Banua said over 408 hectares were affected by the airport project, which include the barangays of Alobo, Burgos, Kinawitan, and Gapo in the municipality of Daraga and in Barangay Del Rosario in Camalig town.

It was also reported that scores of farmers in Alobo and Mabini in Daraga complained about their farmlands being submerged by water from the area where the airport is located.

The NDF, which tagged the airport as a project that is kontra sa mamamayan, criticized Duterte for misspending billions of public funds.

On Friday, Oct. 8, , the BIA is expected to open for commercial flights after 11 years of delay. Sources said daytime domestic flights began that day while night domestic flights will begin in November.

Department of Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade said that prior to the present administration, three groundbreaking ceremonies was held and it is now completed.

The government, allotted P3.5 billion for the construction of the airport on a 200-hectare plateau, 15 kilometers far from Mayon Volcano.