NEDA BOARD CONFIRMS ICC APPROVAL OF PHP187.34-B NEW PROJECTSNovember 29, 2019
http://www.neda.gov.ph/neda-board-confirms-icc-approval-of-php187-34-b-new-projects/MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved seven new projects on November 29 amounting to PhP187.34 billion, which include three projects from Department of Transportation (DOTr), three projects of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and one to be implemented by the Department of Health (DOH).
“Five out of seven of these new projects will be implemented outside the National Capital Region. This shows that the administration is committed to develop growth centers in the regions and maximize the economic benefits of connectivity of communities,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said.
The DOTr projects include the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, Unsolicited Proposal for the New Bohol Panglao International Airport, and the Unsolicited Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Proposal: Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The Davao Public Transport Modernization Project involves the delivery of a modern, high priority bus system (HPBS) for Davao City; the Unsolicited Proposal for the New Bohol International Airport project involves operations and maintenance (O&M) and enhancement of the airport; and the Unsolicited Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Proposal: Ninoy Aquino International Airport aims to address NAIA’s capacity constraint by reconfiguring and renovating existing facilities and enhancing O&M.
The other four new projects include Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway; Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project; and Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway of the DPWH; and the Development Objective Assistance Agreement (DOAg): Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos of the DOH.
The Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway will provide access to various tourism sites and provide a direct link between Pasacao and Balatan; the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project will reduce travel time and reliability constraints currently experienced through the use of ferry services; and the Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway will serve as an alternate route from Legazpi or Caramoan to Manila, and vice versa.
The Development Objective Assistance Agreement (DOAg): Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos of the DOH will respond to the issues on logistics and pharmaceutical management, shortages of qualified health professionals in underserved areas, and inadequate public sector capacity in policy development, financing and private sector engagement.
During the meeting, the NEDA Board also confirmed the ICC-Cabinet Committee’s approval of the increase in cost and change in scope of the Mindanao Railway Project – Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment to PhP81.69 billion.
The NEDA Board also noted the earlier confirmation ad referendum of 20 projects from August 22 to October 9 this year. These include projects from DPWH (9), DOTr (3), Department of Finance (3), Philippine Competition Commission (1), Department of Agriculture (1), Landbank of the Philippines (1), National Irrigation Administration (1), and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (1).
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ANNEX: NEDA Board-approved Projects
1. Davao Public Transport Modernization Project / DOTr (PhP18.66 billion / ODA)
The project involves the delivery of a modern, high priority bus system (HPBS) for Davao City, wherein interconnected bus services will be prioritized along the 137 kilometers (km) core network and feeder routes composed of 489 km.
The project includes three components: Public Transport System Improvement, Institutional Capacity Strengthening, and Social Development Program (SDP).
The proposed implementation schedule for the construction is 2020 to 2023.
2. Unsolicited Proposal for the New Bohol Panglao International Airport / DOTr
The project involves operations and maintenance of the New Bohol International Airport, including initial enhancement and installation of internal fit-outs of existing facilities, as well as optimization and reconfiguration as dictated by traffic demand to be undertaken by the Concessionaire.
3. Unsolicited Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Proposal: Ninoy Aquino International Airport / DOTr
The project’s primary objective is to address NAIA’s capacity constraint by reconfiguring and renovating existing facilities and enhancing operation and maintenance (O&M) of the airport to be able to accommodate more traffic, and thus help alleviate the worsening air traffic congestion.
4. Pasacao-Balatan Coastal Tourism Highway / DPWH (PhP14.97 billion / GAA)
The project involves the construction of a four-lane coastal tourism highway along the west coast of Camarines Sur, with a total length of 40.69 kilometers. The proposed road will provide access to various tourism sites and provide a direct link between Pasacao and Balatan, traversing the municipalities of Minalabac, San Fernando and Bula. The proposed project will also involve the construction of 13 bridges crossing natural waterways located in the influence areas.
The project shall be implemented from 2020 to 2023 and expected to be opened by 2024.
5. Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project / DPWH (PhP23.04 billion / ODA)
The Project aims to provide a permanent road linkage between Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCOS) resulting in the reduction of travel time and reliability constraints currently experienced through the use of ferry services.
The Project involves the construction of a toll-free four-lane [two-lane each direction] bridge with an approximate length of 2.80 kilometers, a width of 24.2 meters, and a vertical clearance of 45 meters that can serve around 25,000 vehicles a day. The Project will also include the construction of interchanges with the existing road network, local existing junction improvements, viaducts over sections of land and approach bridges over marine area.
The Project shall be implemented from 2020-2024, with construction period scheduled from 2021-2024. Operation will be from 2025 onwards.
6. Camarines Sur High-Speed Highway / DPWH (PhP9.23 billion / ODA/ GAA)
The project is intended to serve as an alternate route from Legazpi or Caramoan, to Manila and vice versa. It involves the construction of a 15.21 kilometer (km), four (4) – lane, divided highway connecting the municipalities of San Fernando and Pili in the province of Camarines Sur.
Two interchanges/access ramps at entry/exit located in municipalities of San Fernando and Pili; three bridges over major waterways, with flood proofing; six overpasses traversing existing structures; and sixteen culverts traversing irrigation systems.
The project intends to provide an alternate route to motorists that will allow increased travel speed in the project area through the adoption of high standard highway specifications; resolve traffic congestion during peak seasons (e.g., festivities and summer months); and accelerate economic development in the province of Camarines Sur.
7. Development Objective Assistance Agreement (DOAg): Improved Health for Underserved Filipinos / DOH (PhP15.53 billion / ODA)
The Program will respond to the issues on logistics and pharmaceutical management, shortages of qualified health professionals in underserved areas, and inadequate public sector capacity in policy development, financing and private sector engagement. The following are the planned activities under the program: tuberculosis; family planning; and health systems strengthening.
The Program is proposed to start on the Grant Agreement signing, with a target completion date of September 30, 2024.
