MANILA, Philippines - The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved on Thursday seven new infrastructure projects worth P45.04 billion, NEDA announced.
The NEDA Board, the country's socioeconomic development planning and policy coordinating body, approved the following:
1. Laoag City Bypass Link Road Project (P1.19 billion)
Proponent: Department of Public Works and Highways
Description: Construction of a Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) two-lane road with ROW of 30-meters. It involves the construction of a 3.11 kilometer PCCP road including a 735.0 lineal meter Steel Girder Type Bridge that crosses the Laoag-Padsan River, and end at the Gomburza Road intersection (Phase 1) and construction of a 4.87-kilometer PCCP road (Phase 2).
2. Busuanga Airport Development Project (P4.1 billion)
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Communications
Description: To improve the capacity of the Busuanga Airport in a manner that will satisfactorily serve the expected increase in air traffic in Northern Palawan, through the improvement of the existing airport facilities.
3. Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project (P10.62 billion)
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Communications
Description: Project will establish a BRT System in Cebu City
4. Modernization of the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (P2 billion)
Proponent: Department of Health
Description: Construction of a new nine-storey, 800-bed hospital with emergency room facilities; offices and pharmacy; laboratory and radiology facilities; delivery room complex; intensive care unit (ICU) complex, with a 130-bassinet capacity Neonatal ICU; suites, private rooms, and wards; administration offices, training facilities and auditorium; and other support facilities.
5. Water District Development Sector Project (P2.69 billion)
Proponent: Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA)
Description: Proposed relending facility under LWUA, aimed at targeting pre-credit worthy to semi-credit worthy Water Districts for the rehabilitation and expansion of their distribution networks, development of raw water supply and enhancement of the sustainability of operations through capacity development.
6. Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project (AWTIP) (P5.78 billion)
Proponent: Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System
Description: Construction of a new tunnel, i.e., Tunnel 4, that will make it possible to alternate close the older tunnels and aqueducts in the conveyance system, to improve the reliability and security of the Angat raw water transmission system, through the rehabilitation of existing conveyances and appurtenances from Ipo Dam to La Mesa Treatment Plant.
7. New Centennial Water Source – Kaliwa Dam Project (P18.72 billion)
Proponent: Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System
Description: Involves financing, design, and construction of the 600 million liters per day Kaliwa Dam, intake facilities and other appurtenant facilities; and Water Conveyance Tunnel with a capacity of 2,400 MLD (in anticipation of future construction of the Laiban Dam). Construction of water treatment plants will be undertaken by the MWSS concessionaires.
Other projects approved include the P14.34-billion operation and maintenance of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 under the public-private partnership program and the master development plan for the Clark Green City which involves the development of a total of 9,450 hectares of land including the bidding of an initial 1,300 hectares for Phase 1.
“The approved projects are aimed at improving the level and standards of service in the water, health, and transport sectors as called for in the Updated Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 towards achieving inclusive growth,†Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.
