The National Economic and Development Authority Board’s Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee on July 10 approved the 130-percent increase in the cost of the Mindanao Railway Project Phase 1 or the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment.
It said the increase in project cost to P82.9 billion from the previously approved P35.9 billion would cover changes in the cost of structural and construction works, among others. The ICC-CabCom also approved the additional Davao Satellite Depot of the MRP-TDD.
The committee also approved the increase in the cost of the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project from P4.3 billion to P7.9 billion to cover the changes in the construction technology to be applied to the Guadalupe Bridge, putting up of temporary detour bridges in Guadalupe and additional work shift to reduce the construction period.
It also approved the implementation extension of one year and eight months until August 2023, inclusive of a one-year defects liability period to help the project catch up with the target completion date.
The ICC-CabCom also noted the inclusion of the project management consultant with a cost of P14.39 billion, inclusive of VAT and contingencies, in the scope of works for the PNR South Long Haul Project.
“We see changes in scope and cost as opportunities to optimize the project components and update the estimates. The government aims to speed up implementation while ensuring quality,” said Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia who co-chaired the meeting with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.
Meanwhile, the Neda board confirmed ad referendum the ICC-CabCom approval of changes in three projects including the implementation extension and loan validity extension of Central Luzon Link Expressway Project Phase I of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Julito G. Rada
The two other changes include the project cost and scope of works and extension of loan validity and implementation duration of the National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Project of the National Irrigation Authority and the change in project scope and loan validity extension of the Metro Manila Wastewater Management Project of the Land Bank of the Philippines.
The latter changes were approved by the ICC-CabCom on May 17, 2019.
