All flagship infra projects moving forward – NEDA

MANILA, Philippines — All flagship infrastructure projects under the government’s revised list are now either under implementation or will be started next year, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

During a hearing of the Senate finance committee yesterday, Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua said two have already been completed while 44 are under construction.

Completed were the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure Project and the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project.

Among those that are under construction are the New Clark City, ICT Capability Development and Management Program, National Broadband Program, North-South Commuter Railway, MRT 7, Line 1 LRT Extension to Cavite, MRT 3 Rehabilitation, LRT 2 East Extension, Bicol International Airport Development Project, Road Transport Information Technology Infrastructure Project Phase I and Unified Grand Central Station.

“All of them are either implementing or will begin next year and they have a budget cover,” Chua told senators.

Meanwhile, 34 projects are in the pre-construction stage. Those that have been approved are under design and detailed engineering, attaining right of way, or are awaiting the actual start of construction.

Being processed for approval, meanwhile, are 24 projects.

The revised list of 104 flagship infrastructure projects is now uploaded on the website of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The list of flagship projects under the government’s ambitious Build Build Build program was revised last year from 75 big-ticket projects to 100 flagship projects that are smaller and more feasible in terms of technology and available financing.

Officials have described the revised list as being an “evolving” list that can be expanded or whittled down.

At the onset of the pandemic, Chua said projects that are ready for implementation and have a maximum impact on economic recovery would be prioritized.

The government is counting on its infrastructure buildup programs to prop up the struggling economy.