LEGAZPI CITY -- The construction of the Southern Luzon International Airport (SLIA) in Albay would be a dream come true after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to earmark P600 million fund for this project in the 2008 General Appropriations Act, the Bicol Regional Development Council (RDC) said Tuesday.

        Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda the current RDC chairman said the construction of the P3.4 billion SLIA in barangay Alobo in the town of Daraga would initially take off this year following the release of P600 million in the 2008 GAA under National Economic Projects (NEP) of the President.

        The RDC chairman said the funding would be included in the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) budget this year. This will form part of the second phase of the initial stage of the project.

        The funding is the second tranche of the P3.4 billion project cost, this further seals the status of Daraga town as the site of the Bicol International Airport, Salceda said.

        “This airport has been identified as one of the super regions impact projects that could be completed before President Arroyo’s term ends in 2010,” Salceda said.

        Salceda said last year the DBM released some P250 million fund for phase one of the project which involved the preparation of the project feasibility study and land acquisition of some close to 250 hectares of land in barangay Alobo, Daraga.

        He said the P600 million funds would be used for the procurement of needed materials set in the middle of this year while construction would be in full steam before the year ends.

        Salceda said in the next RDC meeting set on Feb. 8, this year, the DOTC and the Air Transport Office (ATO) would be asked to report on the status of the airport development.

        The setting up of the Southern Luzon International Airport would spur economic and tourism activities in Bicol specifically Albay province.