NEDA BOARD APPROVES SEVEN NEW INFRA PROJECTS, PPP FOR LRT 2 O&M, CLARK GREEN CITY DEV’T PLAN
MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, during its meeting chaired by President Benigno S. Aquino III, approved seven (7) new infrastructure projects amounting to PhP45.04 billion.
The Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program and the master development plan for the Clark Green City involving the development of a total of 9,450 hectares of land including the bidding of an initial 1,300 hectares for Phase 1 were also approved.
“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,” according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.
“These crucial projects will greatly help facilitate and fast-track the needed infrastructure-support of the economy. These are vital in ensuring interconnectedness within the Philippine archipelago for ease of trade movement of goods and people, promotion of tourism, and improvement of competitiveness,” he added.
The following are the NEDA Board’s newly-approved projects:
1. Laoag City Bypass Link Road Project
Cost: PhP1.19 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
Cost: PhP4.1 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
Cost: PhP10.62 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
Cost: PhP2 billion
Proponent: Department of Health
Description: Construction of a new 9-storey, 800-bed hospital with emergency room facilities; offices and pharmacy; laboratory and radiology facilities; delivery room complex; intensive care unit 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
Cost: PhP2.69 billion
Proponent: Local Water Utilities Administration
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)
Cost: PhP5.78 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
Cost: PhP18.72 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 approved items include:
LRT Line 2 Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Project
Cost: PhP14.34 billion
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Communications
Description: Involves an O&M concession contract of the following components for: (i) the existing Line 2 System, and (ii) any expansion of the existing Line 2 System including, but not limited to, any extension to be constructed by the government such as the Masinag Extension.
Master Development Plan for the Clark Green City
Proponent: Bases Conversion and Development Authority
Description: The Clark Green City Master Development Plan includes the development of a total of 9,450 hectares of land including the bidding of an initial 1,300 hectares for Phase 1.