NEDA okays additional infrastructure project for CV

CEBU, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board has approved the Consolacion-Liloan Bypass Road project, which adds up to the 10 projects already implemented in the region.

The NEDA board, chaired by the President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. approved the project during their February 27, 2023 meeting, bringing infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) in the region to a total of 11 which is valued at P377.68 billion. For the whole country, there are 23 new IFPs.

The Consolacion-Liloan Bypass Road Project is one of IFPs under the Build-Better-More initiative.

The 10 initial IFPs in Central Visayas includes the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Operations & Maintenance, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project, and the Cebu Public Transport Modernization Project.

The other projects are: Cebu Urban Mass Rapid Transit (UMRT) Central Line, Cebu-Mactan Bridge (4th Bridge) and Coastal Road Construction Project, Consolacion-Liloan Bypass Road Project, Metro Cebu Expressway (Cebu Circumferential Road), and New Cebu International Container Port Project.

It also includes the New Dumaguete Airport Development Project (Bacong International Airport), Panglao-Tagbilaran Bus Rapid Transit, and the Panglao-Tagbilaran City Offshore Bridge Connector.

The addition of the 23 new projects brings the total number of IFPs to 185 projects, with a combined value of P9.14 trillion.

On the other hand, 36 projects were also removed from the IFP list.

But NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, who is also the NEDA board vice chairperson, said the board's action aims to prioritize vital projects to ensure they receive the necessary backing for prompt and efficient execution.

“Our list of IFPs under the Build-Better-More Program acts as a prioritization tool to identify high-impact infrastructure projects that require immediate government support,” said Balicasan.

Balicasan added that by rationalizing the list, they ensure the implementation of as many important infrastructure projects of high significance as possible. — /ATO (FREEMAN)