NEDA BOARD APPROVES NEW TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS, TIME EXTENSION & INVESTMENT PROGRAM FOR AGRARIAN REFORM COMMUNITIES
MANILA— During its 9th Meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III as chair, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved nine new transportation projects with investments worth PhP105.85 billion, the time extension of one project, and the formulation of an investment program for agrarian reform communities.
The NEDA Board forwarded a total of eleven (11) projects. However, two Public-Private Partnership projects were approved in principle, subject to further review of costs.
Below are the projects approved during the NEDA Board meeting:
1. Tacloban Airport Development Project
Description: The project intends to address capacity issues arising from increasing passenger growth. Also, it is geared to comply with international standards for operational safety and efficiency through expansion and improvement of existing landslide and airside facilities, including the construction of a new passenger terminal building.
Cost: PhP2.12 billion
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)
Implementation: 2013-2016
2. Acquisition of Multi-Role Response Vessels (MRRVs)
Description: The project involves the acquisition of ten (10) 40-meter MRRVs to be used by the Philippine Coast Guard to strengthen and further develop the coast or watch patrol and Search-and-Rescue capabilities of the agency.
Cost: PhP8.81 billion
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)
Implementation: 2012-2016
3. Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) New Passenger Terminal Project
Description: The project involves the construction of a new passenger terminal and renovation of the existing terminal. Its objective is to efficiently handle the increasing air traffic demand, ensure convenience of passengers, and promote aircraft operational efficiency. It intends to minimize passenger delay due to reduction of passenger terminal wating time and increase revenues from tourism activites in the long run.
Cost: PhP8.87 billion (Phase I)
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) – MCIA
Implementation: Concession period of 20 years inlcuding the construction period; Phase 1: 2014-2016
4. Contactless Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS)
Description: The project involves the implementation of a contactless and integrated automatic fare collection system on the existing LRT Lines 1 and 2 and the MRT 3. It intends to address obsolescence of the magnetic stripe tickets by replacing such with contactless smartcards and tokens, which will allow substantial savings in operating and maintenance costs.
Cost: PhP1.72 billion
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)
Implementation: 2013-2014; Concession period of 10 years (5-year exclusivity on issuance of smartcards)
5. Convergence on Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (Project CONVERGE): Increasing Participation of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, Indigenous Peoples, and Rural Women in the Agricultural Value Chain – (Component A)
Description: The project intends to reduce poverty incidence in target sites by introducing profitable and sustainable investments in producing, adding value to and marketing of selected agricultural products in the value-chain. The project covers 59,000 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries in Region IX, X, and CARAGA. Component A involves the formulation of investment plans for eleven agrarian reform community clusters.
Cost: PhP68.28 million (Component A)
Proponent: Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
Implementation: 2013-2019
6. Rehabilitation, Operation and Maintenance of the Angat Hydroelectric Power Plant (AHEPP) Auxiliary Turbines 4 and 5 through PPP Project
Description: The project aims to extend the economic life of auxiliary turbines by another 30 years as well as increase energy output an load capacity to 60 percent through the replacement of existing runners and electro-mechanical equipment. It also involves the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of two other auxiliary turbines through the private sector.
Cost: PhP1.16 billion
Proponent: Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)
Implementation: 2013-2014
7. Albay West Coast Road Project
Description: The project involves the full reconstruction of a 32-kilometer road, rasing of sections located in the lower areas to prevent flooding, and cutting of slope of sections in the mountainous areas to reduce the steep grades. It also includes the repairing/repleacement of five bridges with an aggregate length of 250 meters.
Cost: PhP1.14 billion
Proponent: Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Implementation: 2014-2016
8. Two-Year Extension of the World Bank-Assisted Mindanao Rural Development Project (MRDP) II
Description: The project intends to improve access to livelivood opportunities of targeted communities in 26 provinces in Mindanao and institutionalize a decentralized system for agriculture and fisheries delivery that promotes participation, transparency and accountrability.
Cost: PhP7.39 billion
Proponent: Department of Agriculture (DA)
Implementation: 2012-2014
9. School Infrastructure Project
Description: The project involves the design and construction of 10,679 classrooms in 5,033 public schools (with furniture and toilets) in 14 regions nationwide.
Cost: PhP13.14 billion
Proponent: Department of Education (DepEd)
Implementation: 2013-2014
Approved in principle, subject to further review of costs:
10. NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project
Description: This project aims to complete the North-South industrial development beltway transport axis by connecting the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). The project intends to decongest Metro Manila traffic and provide better access to Manila ports.
Cost: PhP25.56 billion
Proponent: Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Implementation: 2013-2016
11. Cavite-Laguna Expresway (CALAX) Project
Description: The project involves the financing, design and construction of a new 47.02 kilometers, four-lane expressway from the end of the CAVITEX in Kawit, Cavite to Mamplasan Interchange of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) in Binan, Laguna.
Cost: PhP43.33 billion
Proponent: Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Implementation: 2012-2017
M.R. No. 2012-081
30 November 2012