NEDA Board approves P187.34-B new projects

MANILA — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved on Friday seven new projects amounting to PHP187.34 billion, which include three projects from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), three projects of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and one to be implemented by the Department of Health (DOH).

“Five out of seven of these new projects will be implemented outside the National Capital Region. This shows that the administration is committed to develop growth centers in the regions and maximize the economic benefits of connectivity of communities,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.

The DOTr projects include the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, Unsolicited Proposal for the New Bohol Panglao International Airport, and the Unsolicited Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Proposal: Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The Davao Public Transport Modernization Project involves the delivery of a modern, high priority bus system (HPBS) for Davao City; the Unsolicited Proposal for the New Bohol International Airport project involves operations and maintenance (O&M) and enhancement of the airport; and the Unsolicited Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Proposal: Ninoy Aquino International Airport aims to address NAIA’s capacity constraint by reconfiguring and renovating existing facilities and enhancing O&M.

The other four new projects include the Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway; Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project; Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway of the DPWH; and the Development Objective Assistance Agreement (DOAg): Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos of the DOH.

The Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway will provide access to various tourism sites and provide a direct link between Pasacao and Balatan; the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project will reduce travel time and reliability constraints currently experienced through the use of ferry services; and the Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway will serve as an alternate route between Legazpi City or Caramoan to Manila.

The Development Objective Assistance Agreement (DOAg): Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos of the DOH will respond to the issues on logistics and pharmaceutical management, shortages of qualified health professionals in underserved areas, and inadequate public sector capacity in policy development, financing and private sector engagement.

During the meeting, the NEDA Board also confirmed the ICC-Cabinet Committee’s approval of the increase in cost and change in scope of the Mindanao Railway Project–Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment to PHP81.69 billion.

The NEDA Board also noted the earlier confirmation ad referendum of 20 projects from August 22 to October 9 this year.

These include projects from DPWH (nine), DOTr (three), Department of Finance (three), Philippine Competition Commission (one), Department of Agriculture (one), Landbank of the Philippines (one), National Irrigation Administration (one), and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (one). (PR)