THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board, chaired by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, has approved seven infrastructure projects that would cost a total of P184.2 billion.
Of the seven projects, five are for the transport sector, some of which are under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme being bid out by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
Having the biggest budget of P64.9 billion, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 South Extension involves extending the existing 20.7-kilometer LRT Line 1 South by 11.7 km and adding 10 more stations. The line will pass through Parañaque and Las Piñas and end up in Bacoor, Cavite.
However, the DOTC said the project would still see modifications in the proposed changes to the concession agreement, which the transport agency will first incorporate before tendering the project anew.
Currently, Line 1 covers 21 stations from Roosevelt Avenue to Monumento (north link) and onward to Baclaran.
Another rail project is the LRT Line 1 North Extension Common Station that costs P1.4 billion.
The project involves building a common station for LRT 1, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 and MRT 7, as well as road-based transportation systems.
Head-to-head platforms for LRT 1 and MRT 3 with a 147.4-meter elevated walkalator to MRT 7 at North Avenue will be constructed.
The MRT 7 project includes the construction of a 22.8-km rail system from North Avenue station on EDSA, Quezon City, passing through Commonwealth Avenue, Regalado Avenue and Quirino Highway, up to the proposed Intermodal Transportation Terminal (ITT) in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, for a budget of P62.7 billion.
MRT 7 will have 14 stations.
The approval allows the Department of Finance to issue the required performance undertaking in favor of the proponent.
For the Central Philippines, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport New Passenger Terminal Project, with a budget of P17.5 billion, is expected to decongest the country’s second biggest gateway.
The project involves the construction of new passenger terminal, renovation of the existing terminal, operation and maintenance of both the new and the existing passenger terminals during the entire concession period, and relocation of Philippine Air Force facilities.
The DOTC said with the NEDA board approval, bidding for the Mactan-Cebu PPP project could push through on Nov. 28, making it the first airport PPP project to be bid out by the transport department. The project has seven pre-qualified bidders.
Another project, with a budget of P7.7 billion (including the land cost; P6.1 billion excluding) is the development of a transportation system at FTI and the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) under a PPP structure.
The development of two mass transportation terminals at the southern outskirts of Metro Manila to be located at the following: South – SLEX Terminal at FTI Property in FTI Compound, Taguig City to serve passengers travelling to and from Laguna and Batangas; and South – Coastal Road Terminal at PRA Property beside Asiaworld/Uniwide along Manila-Cavite Expressway (R-1) Expressway in Parañaque City to serve passengers travelling to and from Cavite.
DOTC, in a separate statement, said the NEDA board also approved the acquisition of an 82-meter vessel for the Philippine Coast Guard, as well as minor changes to the Puerto Princesa Airport Development Project such as a larger passenger terminal building and an expanded apron to accommodate more aircraft.
Two other projects are Department of Health Modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center, which costs P5.6 billion and the Metropolitan Manila Sewerage System Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project with P24.4 billion budget.
Photo from ww.dotc.gov.ph
