The Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee on Thursday endorsed projects worth more than P136.35 billion for approval of the National Economic and Development Authority board headed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The ICC-CabCom in its first meeting under the Duterte administration recommended 10 projects for the Neda board’s 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,” said Economic Planning Secretary and Neda director-general Ernesto Pernia.
Neda said these projects included the North-South Railway Project – South Line, Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit- Edsa, Plaridel Bypass Toll Road Project, Metro Manila Flood Management Project and Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard.
Also approved were the Expansion of Passenger Terminal Building Area of 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 and the Inclusive Partnerships for Agricultural Competitiveness..
The South Line of North-South Railway proposed by the Transportation Department is set to be undertaken through public-private partnership scheme in two separate projects. These are the commuter line from Tutuban to Los Baños and the long haul line from Los Baños to Sorsogon with a branch from Calamba to Batangas City. The project has a 34-year concession period, including the four-year construction stage for the commuter line.
The hong haul line’s concession period is based on the payment timeline prescribed under the repayment scheme. The Transportation Department will resubmit the project under the proposed standard gauge rail system. The full cost of the project remains to be determined.
The Metro Manila BRT- Edsa project will span 48.6 kilometers with 63 base stations along Ayala Avenue, Ortigas-BGC and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
It will add accessibility infrastructure such as greenways, pedestrian walkways and bikeways. The total project cost is estimated at P68.26 billion, with a public sector component cost of P37.76 billion. Implementation is expected in 2017 to 2019.
The Plaridel Bypass Toll Road Project involves the conversion of existing two-lane Plaridel Bypass Road into a four-lane toll road with expressway standards. The new four-lane toll roads will improve the road capacity and save travel time of about 80 minutes per vehicle.
The total project cost is pegged at P9.33 billion with a concession period of 30 years including three years of construction.
Phase II of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard will acquire two 92-meter heavy weather, high endurance multi-role response vessels to strengthen PCG’s coast or watch patrol and search and rescue capabilities. Total project cost is estimated at P8.02 billion.
The Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase I aims to reduce flood risk to people and property in the flood-prone areas of Greater Metropolitan Manila through an integrated set of interventions. Total project cost is estimated at P23.5 billion.
Two ongoing airport projects will also be elevated to the Neda board. These are the increase in passenger terminal building area of the Bicol International Airport Project and change in scope of the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project.
The Bicol International Airport Project involves construction of a new domestic principal class 1 airport of international standards in Daraga, Albay to replace the existing Legazpi Airport.