NEDA clears P547.6 billion projects

MRT-4, EDSA Greenways lead approvals

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has cleared new projects, collectively valued at P547.6 billion, which include the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 4 and EDSA Greenways Project.

The MRT-4 of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) includes the construction of a 15.56-kilometer elevated monorail transit system from N. Domingo, Quezon City to Taytay Diversion Road - Manila East Road rotunda in Taytay, Rizal.

The EDSA Greenways Project, which will also be implemented by the DOTr, meanwhile, involves the enhancement of pedestrian facilities around key rail stations along EDSA, particularly Balintawak, Guadalupe, Cubao and Taft for the first phase of the project.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA chief Ernesto Pernia said the EDSA Greenways Project is in line with the National Transport Policy that gives priority to transportation projects that will provide pedestrians and bikers safe and direct access to priority destinations such as housing, education, health, business centers, as well as transport modes.

The socioeconomic development planning and coordinating body likewise cleared six other projects.

These are the Maritime Safety Enhancement Program by the Department of Transportation (DOTr); Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project, Cebu-Mactan Bridge (4th Bridge) and Coastal Road Construction Project, Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Project, Capas-Botolan Road Project, and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges Project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The NEDA Board also approved the Change in Scope and Cost of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project; and the Extensions in Loan Validity and Implementation Period and Increase in Cost of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project.

The P46.8-billion Davao City Bypass aims to improve connectivity and mitigate  traffic congestion in Davao City through the construction of a 45.5-km four-lane bypass road, including a 2.8-km tunnel section.

This will begin from the Davao-Digos intersection of the Pan Philippine Highway at Toril, Davao City to the Davao-Agusan National Highway in Panabo City.

The P1.13-billion Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project involves the construction of 11.30 km of the unpaved section of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road.

It also includes the construction of three bridges with a total length of 261 linear meters.

Extending the official development assistance loan validity for the project for 24 months and the project implementation by 18 months will entail a 9.04 percent increase in project cost, NEDA said.