Over P300 B projects up for NEDA approval

MANILA, Philippines - Ten infrastructure and development projects worth over P300 billion were endorsed by the Cabinet-level Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) to the National Economic and Development Authority Board for approval during its recent meeting, Socio-economic Planning Secretary and NEDA chief Ernesto Pernia said yesterday.

These projects are the P170.7-billion North-South Railway Project – South Line; the P8.02-billion Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard Phase II; P68.26- billion Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit- EDSA; P9.33-billion Plaridel Bypass Toll Road Project; P23.5-billion Metro Manila Flood Management Project, P4.79-billion Increase in Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) Area of the Bicol International Airport Project; P7.77-billion Change in Scope of the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project; P2.4-billion Modernization of the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center; P2.22-billion modernization of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital; and the P10.15-billion Inclusive Partnerships for Agricultural Competitiveness.

“These recommended projects are a good start towards the government’s goal of improving government investments in infrastructure, especially in transportation and health, and agribusiness. We are optimistic that these projects will significantly contribute to the development and improvement of their target areas and communities,” said Pernia.

Pernia said the ICC approved several modifications in the North-South Railway project, the first being the shift to the use of standard gauge, a newer and more internationally-accepted technology that would push up the indicative cost of the project to P170.7 billion.

Also approved was the unbundling of contracts for the commuter line which would run from Tutuban, Manila to Los Baños Laguna and the long-haul line from Los Baños to Sorsogon with a branch from Calamba to Batangas City. The project has a 34-year concession period.

The second phase of the maritime safety project for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) entails the acquisition of two 92-meter heavy weather, high endurance Multi-Role Response Vessels or MRVs to strengthen the PCG’s patrol, search and rescue capabilities and enable the country to comply with international commitments on maritime safety and security, and marine environmental protection. The project would be implemented between this year until 2021.

The Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) - EDSA, is a 49-kilometer BRT infrastructure that would traverse EDSA, Ayala Ave., Ortigas-BGC, and NAIA.

The 63-station system would also contain accessibility infrastructure like greenways, pedestrian walkways, and bikeways. The public sector would shoulder P37.76 billion out of the total project cost. This is slated for implementation between 2017 to 2019.

The Plaridel Bypass Toll Road Project, meanwhile, involves the conversion of the existing two-lane Plaridel bypass road into a four-lane toll road with expressway standards.

The new four-lane toll road will improve the road capacity and save travel time of about 80 minutes per vehicle. The project has a concession period of 30 years including three years of construction.

Metro Manila flooding is expected to be addressed by the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFP) Phase I through an integrated set of interventions.

Changes to the scope of the two ongoing airport projects of the Department of Transportation (DOT) were also recommended to the NEDA Board for approval.

The Bicol International Airport project involves construction of a new domestic-Principal Class 1 airport of international standards in Daraga, Albay to replace the existing Legazpi Airport due to its limitations and safety concerns. The proposed changes does entail additional cost, thereby maintaining project cost at P4.79 billion, NEDA said.

Changes in the scope of the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection project, which aims to develop a new airport facility of international standards in Panglao Island, Bohol, pushed up the project cost to P7.77 billion.

The Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center Modernization Project seeks to expand the hospital’s bed capacity from 325 to 500, transfer to a new site in Tacloban City, and establish a new IT system and medical equipment.

Modernization of Gov. Celestrino Gallares Memorial Hospital project, meanwhile, would expand the hospital’s 225-bed capacity to 500 and transfer to a new site in Cortez, Bohol. It will also include site development, warehouse building, medical equipment, and IT systems.

The Inclusive Partnerships for Agricultural Competitiveness (IPAC) project, meanwhile, aims to enhance market access and competitiveness of smallholder farmers in the target agrarian reform communities (ARC) clusters.

The Duterte administration wants to fasttrack the rollout of infrastructure and development projects to make the effects of rapid economic growth felt by the lower classes. This begins with faster deliberation and approval with projects in the pipeline.

During the meeting, the ICC-CabCom agreed to convene every fourth Monday of the month, changing the original schedule of every first Tuesday of the month. The ICC technical working group would be working in between, meeting every other Thursday of the month.

The NEDA Board, meanwhile is seen to be convened either every month or every two months.