NEDA approves 12 projects, including Sasa port dev’t

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Davao port. Photo courtesy of Philippine Ports Authority.
Davao port. Photo courtesy of Philippine Ports Authority.
Davao port will be developed at a cost of P18.99 billion. Photo courtesy of Philippine Ports Authority.

Twelve infrastructure projects worth P157.41 billion, which include the P18.99-billion Davao Sasa port development, were recently approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board headed by President Benigno Aquino III.

Other projects given the green light by the NEDA Board on October 17 were the P8.55-billion Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan De Oro River; the P1.27-billion Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue/Makati Avenue-Paseo de Roxas Vehicles Underpass Project; P4.01-billion Metro Manila Interchange Construction Project, Phase VI; P810-million Restoration of Damaged Bridges in Bohol; Operations, Maintenance and Development Project of the following airports: Iloilo (P30.40 billion), Bacolod (P20.26 billion), Davao (P 40.57 billion), and Puerto Princesa (P5.23 billion); P50.18-billion Regional Prison Facilities through Public-Private Partnership Project; P1.86-billion Fisheries, Coastal Resources and Livelihood Project; and the P2.28-billion Project Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Growth and Empowerment.

“These approved projects will significantly contribute to the infrastructure investment needed to sustain growth and make it inclusive,” NEDA director general Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement.

The socioeconomic planning chief said 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.

In particular, the Davao Sasa port project, which will be under a public-private partnership scheme, is aimed at redeveloping and modernizing the facilities, operations, and maintenance of the Mindanao gateway.

This includes constructing a new quay wall and terminal, as well as procuring, installing, and operating five ship-to-store gantry (gooseneck-type) cranes, 14 rubber tired gantries, two reach stackers, 30 terminal tractors, 35 container trailers, 10 empty container handlers, and other auxiliary equipment.

The Davao Sasa port project, proposed by the Philippine Ports Authority, has a concession period of 35 to 40 years, inclusive of construction.

Meanwhile, the NEDA Board also gave the go signal to the loan validity, downscaling of scope, and reallocation of costs of the ongoing Laguindingan Airport development. This in effect reduces the total cost of the project to P7.7 billion from P7.85 billion. The 18-month loan extension for its air navigation system and support facilities was moved to January 10, 2016 from July 10, 2014.

The approval of the cost reallocation, however, was on the condition of a change in specifications, which will be confirmed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Also given clearance was DPWH’s request 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 moved to amend approval on the requirement of a Department of Justice opinion regarding delineating the jurisdictions of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Philippine Reclamation Authority over reclaimed land in the project areas. – Roumina Pablo