Gov’t to identify ‘game changing’ infra projects

MANILA, Philippines - Economic managers are identifying “game changing” infrastructure projects to be rolled out by the government during the last 18 months of the term of President Aquino.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said in an interview with reporters that several Cabinet members are now finalizing the list of infrastructure projects for a “last push” before President Aquino steps down in June 2016.

“Basically the direction is we need to come up with our final last push for the last 18 months and likewise where will we take infrastructure beyond us. So these will be more of game changing projects one of which is the airport,” Abaya said.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) would finalize the list of projects to be submitted by Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) headed by Abaya, Department of Finance (DOF) led by Secretary Cesar Purisima as well as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) headed by Rogelio Singson.

“That should be made in an officially declared plan and policy of the President. We are currently working on that. NEDA is lead so we are all contributing our own projects or components of the plan,” he added.

The DOTC chief said the plan would cover connectivity, access, transportation even beyond the Aquino administration.

“These will be key strategic game changing infrastructure projects hopefully these will solve the headaches, woes and congestions of today and hopefully something that the next administration and whoever will replace us will continue and see that it was crafted on its merits, no agenda and no political interest. It will help them hit the ground running because from Day 1, they have plans laid out with the best interest of the people in mind,” Abaya said.

For one, he explained that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has laid down a “Dream Plan” wherein the Philippines needs to undertake transportation projects worth P2.6-trillion including massive railway, roads, airport, and seaports.

“The problems won’t be solved in 18 months. We have enough in the pipeline. Let’s say the dream plan submitted by JICA, some of the components have been addressed, some have not been touched on, that would be the base template,” the DOTC chief said.

The transportation “Dream Plan” would help solve traffic congestion that is expected to cost the country P6 billion a day from the current level of P2.4 billion a day.

Abaya said the proposal includes a $10 billion airport in Sangley Point in Cavite that would eventually replace the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) earlier announced plans to build a new international gateway.

According to him, another “game changer” is the privatization of the operations and maintenance (O&M) of NAIA.

“It could be a game changer if you allow private sector like Changi or Incheon operating the whole NAIA complex. That in itself can be a game changer,” he said.

Other projects to be pushed by DOTC, he said, include theP374.5 billion Makati-Pasay-Taguig Mass Transit System Loop or Subway; the P251-billion Integrated Luzon Railway project; and the P177.2 billion North-South Commuter Railway project.

Abaya added that the government is also considering developing a new seaport somewhere in Manila Bay rather than in Batangas or Subic Bay as 40 percent of goods re-enter Manila as their final destination.

PPP Center executive director Cosette Canilao earlier said the government is looking at rolling out nine PPP projects in 2015 including the rebidding of the P35.4 billion Cavite - Laguna expressway (Calax) and the “Swiss Challenge” for the P18 billion North Luzon expressway – South Luzon expressway (NLEX-SLEX) connector road.