10 infra projects up for NEDA Board approval

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ID-10062002Several transport infrastructure projects await the green light from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte.

At its first meeting under the new administration, the Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee recommended 10 projects, of which seven are in the transportation sector, for NEDA Board approval.

“These recommended projects are a good start towards the government’s goal of improving government investments in infrastructure, especially in transportation and health, and agribusiness. We are optimistic that these projects will significantly contribute to the development and improvement of their target areas and communities,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said in a statement.

These projects include the North-South Railway Project (NSRP)–South Line; Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Phase II; Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)-EDSA; Plaridel Bypass Toll Road Project; and Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFP).

The others are the Increase in Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) Area of the Bicol International Airport Project; Change in Scope of the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project; Modernization of the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center; Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH); and the Inclusive Partnerships for Agricultural Competitiveness.

The NSRP-South Line of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to be undertaken as two separate projects under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. The commuter line project will traverse from Tutuban to Los Baños, while the long-haul line extends from Los Baños to Sorsogon with a branch from Calamba to Batangas City.

The commuter line has a 34-year concession period (including construction of four years), whereas the long-haul line has a concession period based on the payment timeline prescribed under the repayment scheme. DOTr will resubmit the project under the proposed standard gauge rail system.

Phase II of the maritime safety capability improvement project for PCG entails acquiring two 92-meter heavy-weather, high-endurance multi-role response vessels. The program aims to strengthen PCG’s coastline or watch patrol and search and rescue capabilities as well as help the agency comply with international commitments in maritime safety and security and in marine environmental protection. The total project cost is estimated at P8.02 billion with an implementation period of six years from 2016.

For the Metro Manila BRT-EDSA project, a BRT infrastructure extending 48.6 kilometers through EDSA, Ayala Avenue, Ortigas-Bonifacio Global City, and Ninoy Aquino International Airport and having 63 stations will be built. The initiative will also add accessibility infrastructure like greenways, pedestrian walkways, and bikeways. Total cost is placed at P68.26 billion, of which the public sector component cost is P37.76 billion. Implementation is from 2017 to 2019.

The Plaridel bypass toll road involves converting the existing two-lane Plaridel Bypass Road into a four-lane toll road of expressway standards. With a four-lane toll road, road capacity will improve and travel time cut by about 80 minutes per vehicle. The bill for the project, with a concession period of 30 years including three years of construction, is estimated at P9.33 billion.

The MMFP Phase I aims to reduce flood risk to people and property in flood-prone areas of Greater Metropolitan Manila through an integrated set of interventions. Total project cost is at P23.5 billion.

Two ongoing airport projects of DOTr will be elevated to the NEDA Board for confirmation of proposed changes: increase in the PTB area of the Bicol International Airport Project, and change in scope of the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project.

The first involves building a new domestic Principal Class 1 airport of international standards in Daraga, Albay, a replacement for the existing Legazpi Airport which has limitations and safety concerns. The proposed changes entail additional cost. The project cost has been re-calculated to P4.79 billion.

The second seeks to develop a new airport facility of international standards in Panglao Island, Bohol. It is set to replace the existing Tagbilaran Airport, which has a limited capacity for expansion and raises operational safety concerns. The revised project cost is P7.77 billion.

Modernizing both the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center and the GCGMH in Bohol, meanwhile, comes at a cost of P2.40 billion and P2.22 billion, respectively.

Lastly, the Inclusive Partnerships for Agricultural Competitiveness, which will work on enhancing the market access and competitiveness of smallholder farmers in target clusters of agrarian reform communities, has a total project cost of P10.15 billion.

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