NEDA Board okays 12 infrastructure projects

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NEDA Board okays 12 infrastructure projects
(UPDATED) DPWH's request for a hybrid contractual agreement for the P123-billion Laguna Expressway-Dike has also been approved by the NEDA Board

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board on Friday, October 17, approved a slew of infrastructure projects under 5 departments.

It gave the go-signal for the following:

  • 4 projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
  • 5 for the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)
  • 1 for the Department of Justice (DOJ)
  • 1 for the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
  • 1 for the Department of Agriculture (DA)

The DPWH projects approved by the NEDA Board include the following:

  • P8.55-billion ($190.29-million)* Cagayan De Oro River flood risk management project                            
  • P1.27-billion ($28.26-million) Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue/Makati Avenue Paseo de Roxas vehicles underpass project
  • P4.01-billion ($89.4-million) Metro Manila interchange
  • P0.81-bilion ($18.02-million) Bohol Circumferential Road restoration of damaged bridges

The Laguna Lakeshore Expressway-Dike project worth P122.81 ($2.73 billion), the biggest public-private partnership (PPP) project of the Aquino administration, has been described as a complex project that involves the construction of a 47-kilometer (km) expressway dike; an initial 700-hectare reclamation component; and the implementation of a flood control system.

Because the project is huge and complex, the NEDA Board approved the request of DPWH that the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway-Dike Project proceed under a hybrid contractual arrangement pursuant to Section 2.9 of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Build-Operate-Transfer Law.

The Board also amended the approval of a DOJ requirement for the delineation of jurisdictions of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Philippine Reclamation Authority over the reclaimed land involving the project areas.

5 DOTC airport projects

Four airport operations, maintenance, and development projects under DOTC have also been approved by the NEDA Board.

The most expensive among these is the Davao Airport worth P40.57 billion ($902.69 million). The project also includes the provision of additional facilities and other necessary improvements for access, cargo and passenger movement efficiency, operational efficiency, safety, and security, but excludes air navigation control, air navigation services, and their associated services.

DOTC has requested flexibility on the concession period ranging from 30 to 35 years.

Other airport operations, maintenance, and development projects include the P30.4-billion ($676.31 million) Iloilo Airport; the P20.26-billion ($451.06-million) Bacolod Airport; and the P5.23-billion ($116.58-million) Puerto Princesa Airport.

The modernization project for the Davao Sasa Port has also been approved for P18.99 billion ($422.99-million).

The NEDA Board also approved the total cost reduction for the ongoing Laguindingan Airport development project from the original P7.85 billion ($174.95 billion) to P7.7 billion ($170.55 million).

The 18-month loan extension for its air navigation system and support facilities was also moved to January 10, 2016 from July 10, 2014. However, the approval was conditioned on a change in specifications to be confirmed by the DPWH.

Other projects

The NEDA Board also approved the DOJ regional prison facilities project worth P50.1 billion ($1.12 billion). The 20-year concession period for the PPP project involves the financing, construction, and maintenance of a new prison facility to accommodate 26,000 inmates. It would have facilities for both men and women, ranging from minimum to maximum security. Custodial and rehabilitation services are excluded from the scope of the PPP arrangement.

The DA’s Fisheries, Coastal Resources and Livelihood (FishCoRAL) project worth P1.86 billion ($41.42 million) was also approved.

The NEDA Board likewise okayed the DAR’s Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (Project ConVERGE) worth P2.28 billion ($50.72 million).

In a statement, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the approved projects will significantly contribute to sustain growth and make it inclusive.

“The projects will allow Filipinos to have more access to social and economic opportunities. The transportation and port projects will improve the mobility of people and the efficiency of the flow of goods and services. Also, some of these projects will instill or enhance resiliency of many areas against climate-related risks and disasters,” Balisacan said.

President Benigno Aquino III ordered the Cabinet and NEDA members to focus on completing similar ongoing projects and “on laying the groundwork for sustainable, long-term economic development and inclusive growth.” – Rappler.com

 

 

 

 

 

($1 = P44.87)

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