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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:””; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:”Calibri”,sans-serif;} MANILA, Philippines – The country’s economic managers will push for “game-changing” infrastructure projects in the last 18 months of President Benigno Aquino III’s term.
Several Cabinet members are now finalizing the list of infrastructure projects to roll out before Aquino steps down in June 2016, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said.
The projects would include access, connectivity, and transportation to last beyond the Aquino administration, Abaya said.
“Hopefully, these will solve the woes, headaches, and congestions of today and hopefully something that the next administration and whoever will replace us will continue and see that [these were] crafted on its merits – no agenda and no political interest,” Abaya said.
‘Dream plan’
Among those submitting their list of projects are the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Department of Finance (DOF), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) will finalize the list.
“That should be made in an officially declared plan and policy of the President. We are currently working on that. NEDA is [the] lead so we’re all contributing our own projects or components of the plan,” Abaya added.
For instance, Abaya cited that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) laid down a “Dream Plan” wherein the Philippines needs to undertake transportation projects worth P2.6-trillion ($58.13 billion*) covering massive railway, roads, airports, and seaports.
Abaya added the transportation “Dream Plan” would help solve traffic congestion that is expected to cost the country P6 billion a day ($134.11 million) from the current level of P2.4 billion ($53.64 million) a day.
Also, 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 Corporation (SMC) announced plans to build a new international gateway, Abaya said.
Another game-changing project 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,” Abaya pointed out.
Pipeline
The Aquino administration is set to roll out 18 PPP projects worth P407 billion ($9.10 billion) before June 2015.
To date, the government is looking at rolling out 9 public-private partnership (PPP) projects in 2015, including the rebidding of the P35.4-billion ($791.22 million) Cavite-Laguna expressway (CALAX) and the Swiss Challenge for the P18-billion ($402.31 million) North Luzon expressway-South Luzon expressway (NLEX-SLEX) connector road, PPP Executive Director Cosette Canilao earlier said.
The NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC) approved both projects, together with the P400-million ($8.94-million) Tanauan City public market, covering the construction of a commercial building and rehabilitation of the wet and dry market.
The roll out of PPP projects in the country is in full swing since the awarding of 8 projects worth close to P133 billion ($2.97 billion).
The administration also raised a premium payment of over P36 billion ($804.64 million) for the awarded PPP projects. – Rappler.com
*$1 = P44.74
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