Albay Governor and Bicol RDC chair Noel Rosal met with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez during a press conference on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency
Albay Governor Noel Rosal, also chair of the Bicol Regional Development Council, said on Monday that weekend visits by Cabinet secretaries provided an opportunity to accelerate delayed infrastructure projects in Albay and Sorsogon.
On Sunday, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez toured key areas in the two provinces.
Rosal highlighted unfinished projects, including the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center, which will add 650 beds, the Daraga flyover, and the long-delayed transmission line at Bicol International Airport needed to accommodate international flights.
He noted that road widening and construction in Barangay Morera, Guinobatan, is expected to be completed before Holy Week, easing traffic on the busy South Road.
The governor also raised the persistent flooding in Barangay Masarawag, with Dizon assuring that the DPWH would investigate the problem’s root cause.
Regarding the airport, Lopez reportedly committed PHP200 million to PHP300 million to lower transmission lines, which Rosal said could boost tourism and economic activity. Talks are ongoing with Cebu Pacific to start international flights to Hong Kong or Bangkok.
Sorsogon Governor Edwin Hamor expressed gratitude for the Cabinet officials’ visit, particularly their assessment of Maharlika Highway and plans to modernize Matnog Port, a key gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao.