Government rolls out over P1-trillion infra projects

SMC’s Bulacan airport tops list

MANILA, Philippines — The government is set to roll out over P1 trillion worth of projects as part of the Duterte administration’s massive infrastructure thrust under the Build Build Build program.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said 20 projects were confirmed during the 6th Board Meeting of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on April 25.

Heading the list is the planned P735.63 billion international airport project of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. in Bulacan.

The project confirmation of the proposed international gateway is still subject to final review of the concession agreement.

The second biggest project to be undertaken by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is the proposed P50.3 billion Subic-Clark railway project.

Likewise, Dominguez said four infrastructure projects worth P84.11 billion lined up by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also got the green light from the NEDA Board.

These include the Ambal-Simuay River and Rio Grande de Mindanao River flood control projects worth P39.22 billion, the Pasig-Marikina River and Manggahan floodway bridges construction project worth P27.37 billion, the Bridge Construction Acceleration Project for Socio-Economic Development worth P11.37 billion, and the proposed change in scope, cost and loan validity extension of the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change adaptation measures in low-lying areas of Pampanga Bay worth P6.15 billion.

Other projects approved include the P12.55 billion Clark International Airport expansion project- operations and maintenance public private partnership (PPP concession) under the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), the Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and growth (RAPID Growth) project worth P4.78 billion as well as the Davao Food Complex (DFC) project worth P1.02 billion of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Dominguez said the NEDA Board also confirmed the proposed increase in the cost of the New Centennial Water Source- Kaliwa Dam project worth P14.32 billion of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

Other projects include proposed restructuring for the Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management Project (INREMP) worth P7.24 billion or the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the proposed change in scope and cost for P1.68 billion Integrated Marine Environment Monitoring System Phase 2 project of the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The NEDA Board also approved the change in financing from local funding to official development assistance (ODA) of the Arterial Bypass Project Phase III, Contract Packages I, II, and IV; the P25.26 billion improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road sector project; the proposed change in design and cost of the P4.37 billion Chico River Pump Irrigation Project; the P1.27 billion Conflict-Sensitive Resource and Asset Management Program – Financial Cooperation, and the P20.3 billion Safe Philippines Project Phase 1.

The NEDA also approved the changes to the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project, the P1.03 billion Samar Pacific coastal road project, and the P11.21 billion Jalaur River multi-purpose project, Stage II.

The Duterte administration has earmarked P8.4 trillion under the Build Build Build program to usher in a “golden age of infrastructure.”