6 projects up for NEDA board approval next year

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board is set to deliberate on six infrastructure projects, including the PHP37.6 billion worth of new projects for approval next year. (Photo by Brian Evans/Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)

MANILA — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board is set to deliberate on six infrastructure projects, including the PHP37.6 billion worth of new projects for approval next year.

“NEDA approved 20 projects this year and we expect to have six more. The six projects we are trying to secure NEDA board (approval) through ad referendum, these are for clearance,” NEDA Assistant Secretary for Investment Programming Jonathan Uy told reporters on Thursday.

Uy said the three new projects include the Safe Philippines Project, the Bridge Construction Acceleration Project and the acquisition of six marine disaster response helicopters for the Philippine Coast Guard.

The PHP20.21-billion Safe Philippines Project of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) aims to strengthen the capabilities of local government units (LGUs) in managing public order and safety through the construction of 18 integrated operations and command centers that are equipped with video surveillance systems and a remote backup data center.

Uy said the NEDA board is also expected to tackle the additional financing for the new Bohol Panglao International Airport, the completion of Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, and resolve the legal issues in Jalaur River Multipurpose Project in Iloilo.

He further said the government targets to roll out 12 to 15 projects next year.