CLARK FREEPORT -- The new and modern terminal of Clark International Airport (CRK) will operate by January 2021 with a capacity of 12.2 million passengers per year.

Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade assured this during an inspection of the new Passenger Terminal Building on Wednesday, July 15.

The DOTR chief was accompanied by Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Peace Process and Chief Implementer of the country's Declared National Policy Against Covid-19 Carlito Galvez, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vince Dizon, Clark International Airport Corporation (Ciac) president Aaron Aquino, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) Director General Jim Sydiongco, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Aviation Jaime Melo, and DOTr Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Project Implementation Giovanni Lopez.

"When we envisioned this project, nobody believed. But today, they must believe. I am very excited that this project is almost finished," Tugade said.

"Let's make this operational by January of next year at the latest. I'm not inclined to make any extensions," he added.

Dizon, who is also the presidential adviser for Flagship Projects, said the target date set by Tugade will be followed.

He also noted that the said airport development project has been carried out at a record rate from the start of its construction in April 2018. Currently, the new PTB now stands at 99.14 percent completion rate.

"From conceptualization to approval, now to execution and completion, the Duterte administration can boast on the fact of the fastest mega infrastructure project any government or any administration has undertaken. Ito na po ata ang may record na pinakamabilis na nakagawa," Dizon said.

The development of the Clark International Airport, which is under the government's "Build, Build, Build" program, is envisioned to help spur economic progress and development in Central Luzon.

It also aims to help ease the strain of congestion off Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Once completed, the new PTB will boost the operational capacity of the CRK to triple from the current 4.2 million to 12.2 million annually.

"This would have not been possible if not for Secretary Tugade na malakas manulak ng tao, magtrabaho. Si Vince Dizon, congratulations sa inyong dalawa. Napakalaking tulong nito," Medialdea said.