NEDA board approves P269.7 billion high-impact projects

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board, chaired by President Marcos, approved on Friday a number of high-impact projects amounting to about P269.7 billion.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said among the projects approved are the upgrade, expansion, operations and maintenance of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and the Dialysis Center Project of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.

The P4.5-billion Bohol-Panglao International Airport project is an unsolicited PPP project that aims to increase passenger capacity and improve passenger experience at the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, according to Balisacan.

He said the approved expansion project would increase Bohol international airport’s maximum passenger capacity from 2.5 million per year at start of project up to 3.9 million by the end.

“Expect this project to boost tourism and as a result, generate more high-quality jobs,” Balisacan said at a Palace briefing.

Meanwhile, the P392-million renal center facility at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center will address the need for more accessible and affordable hemodialysis treatment in the country, the NEDA chief said.

At present, the Baguio General Hospital only has 30 machines, all of which are working at full capacity.

“This solicited PPP project will increase the number of active hemodialysis machines to 108 by 2029, this will enable the Baguio General Hospital to provide more affordable dialysis treatment to a greater number of chronic kidney disease patients,” Balisacan said.

The NEDA board also allowed the implementation of new official development assistance or ODA programs that will augment the country’s green economy initiatives and help speed up infrastructure projects, Balisacan noted.

These include the P13.08-billion Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility-Second Additional Financing to help agencies like the Departments of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Transportation (DOTr) improve their conduct of feasibility studies, engineering design and other project preparation activities.

“Typically, this process takes between 12 to 24 months, increasing the overall implementation time for infrastructure projects. The infrastructure preparation and innovation facility speeds up this process by providing DPWH and DOTr with a better mode for financing and conducting project preparation activities,” he said.

The second additional financing will include more Infrastructure Flagship Projects to its scope, allowing more IFPs to be implemented sooner, he added.

Of the P13.08 billion, P11.38 billion will be financed through ODA from the Asian Development Bank, he said.

The NEDA board also confirmed the approval of the Green Economy Program in the Philippines to be financed through a P3.62-billion grant from the European Union.

“To address our need for more effective solid waste management, the NEDA has confirmed the approval of the green economy program in the Philippines,” Balisacan said.

The program will accomplish this by building the capacity of the national government, LGUs and the private sector to mainstream and sustain green economy or green economy activities, enhance circular economy, reduce waste and plastic and increase energy efficiency and renewal energy deployment, the official said.

The NEDA board has also approved changes to the cost and implementation timeline of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project.

The project involves the construction of a 32.15-kilometer bridge over Manila Bay that will significantly reduce travel time between Bataan and Cavite from four to five hours to just 30 to 45 minutes.

The funding for the bridge will be increased to P219.3 billion from P175.6 billion and the implementation period extended to December 2029. — Louella Desiderio