NEDA clears 4 infra projects worth P542 B

MANILA, Philippines -  Four infrastructure projects with a combined value of P541.6 billion have been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority’s Investment Coordination Committee (ICC).

In a statement, NEDA Board’s ICC said it approved the Mindanao Railway Project’s (MRP) Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP-TDD) segment, the North South Railway Projects (NSRP) – South Line, the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP) and the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project last June 1.

“In approving these projects, the ICC advised the DOTr to coordinate with the NEDA Secretariat to complete the ICC approval requisites,” NEDA-ICC said.

The P35.26 billion MRP-TDD aims to provide a more efficient, reliable, and affordable transportation to boost tourism, industry, and overall economic development in the area by connecting existing and emerging growth centers in the Davao Region.

The railway project will form the first phase of the proposed 830-kilometer MRP loop, involving a 102.28-kilometer commuter railway that will run from Tagum City, Davao del Norte, to Digos City, Davao del Sur, with 7 stations, one terminal in Davao City, and one depot in Tagum City.

Construction of the project will be financed locally and is targeted to to begin in the first quarter of 2018.  It is slated for completion by the third quarter of 2022.

Both the P285 billion NSRP - South Line and the P211.43 billion MCRP will be financed through Official Development Assistance (ODA).

The NSRP-South Line, which will revive the Philippine National Railways (PNR) south railway, will consist of three tracks that will run from Tutuban to Los Baños for the commuter line (72 km), and Los Baños to Sorsogon for the long haul (581 km), terminating at the Port of Manila—via FTI in Taguig—through the connecting third track.

On the other hand, the MCRP, which will connect with the ongoing Tutuban-Malolos portion of the North South Commuter Railway, will run from Malolos, Bulacan, to Clark International Airport (Phase I), and from Clark International Airport to Clark Green City (Phase II).

“The construction for phase I will begin in Q2 of 2019 and is expected to be completed by the 2nd quarter of 2022. Phase II will be implemented from 2022 to 2024,” NEDA-ICC said.

Meanwhile, the P9.89 billion Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management project will mitigate flooding of 45,000 homes due to the overflowing water from the San Juan River, YlangYlang River, and Rio Grande River, and the poor drainage of Maalimango Creek.

Construction is targeted to begin in October 2019 and is expected to be completed by April 2024.

The NEDA-ICC also approved a two-year extension of the OPEC Fund for International Development loan for the for the Road Improvement and Institutional Development project of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The NEDA board, chaired by President Duterte, is expected to convene again  this month.