QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reported various high-impact projects were given go signal by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr during its third board meeting on Thursday, February 2, 2023.
The following projects could “significantly contribute to achieving the administration’s social and economic transformation goal in the medium term”:
1. Establishment of the P6-billion, 300-bed capacity University of the Philippines (UP)-Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Cancer Center
This is the first Public Private Partnership (PPP) project under the Marcos administration which aims to offer comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable oncology care services in the country. It will modernize the health infrastructure of oncology services and cancer care while still continuing to operate as a public hospital.
2. Construction of the P17-billion new Dumaguete Airport Development Project in Bacong, Negros Oriental
This will replace the Dumaguete-Sibulan airport due to physical and operational constraints and will develop a new airport that is compliant with domestic and international standards for operational safety and efficiency. It is expected to enhance the province’s tourism, trade potential, and standard of living.
3. P6.6-billion Department of Agriculture’s Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIDP)
The MIDP aims to increase agricultural productivity, resiliency, and provide access to markets and services to organized farmers and fisherfolk groups. This development project will cover selected ancestral domains in Mindanao from Regions IX, X, XI, XII, XIII and the BARMM. It will be fundamental in reducing poverty and providing employment and food security among Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao. This will help not just to improve the economic situation of IPs but also strengthen the capacity of LGUs to implement support programs to address weak market linkages and put infrastructure in geographically isolated ancestral domains.
4. P20-billion first phase of the Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project in three major river basins in the country
The Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) approved the first phase of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project which aims to mitigate flood damage, manage flood risk and improve climate resilience in three major river basins in the country namely Abra in Luzon, and Ranao and Tagum-Libuganon in Mindanao.
Moreover, this project intends to improve strategic flood risk management planning; develop flood protection infrastructure in the three major river basins; and strengthen community-based management measures.
5. Davao Public Transport Modernization project
The ICC approved the request for changes of scope, increase in cost, and extension of the implementation period in delivering a modern, high-priority bus system for Davao City wherein interconnected bus services will be prioritized along 29 routes.
6. Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) rehabilitation
NEDA confirms DOTRs request for changes in scope, project cost increase, implementation period extension, additional loan and second loan reallocation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) rehabilitation project. The increase in cost of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) rehabilitation project by P7.6 billion, from P21.9 billion to P29.6 billion is approved which will be used for the upgrading of MRT to its original as-design state with provision for capacity expansion in the future.
Further, all of its subsystems will be restored, renewed, or upgraded including tracks, signaling system, power supply system, overhead catenary system and communication system as well as maintenance and station equipment. The project will also integrate other related projects such as the common station, Dalian trains, and transition to 4-car train configuration to enhance the safety and level of service of MRT3 to promote its use to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
7. Utilization of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan balance of P2.12 billion for the new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance-Air Traffic Management (CNS-ATM) system maintenance and resiliency enhancement
This will enable to upgrade of the air transport facilities and improve passenger experience by ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of air traffic service in Philippine airspace following international standards by implementing the following components: maintenance contracts, ultimate full box system, and feasibility study for the independent backup system.
These high-impact projects will be funded through different agreements such as the Public Private Partnership (PPP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the South Korean government through the Export-Import Bank of Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund. (KSAA – PIA CPSD)
