President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the National Economic and Development Authority Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (June 19, 2014). Also in photo are Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Head Julia Andrea Abad, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) chairperson Luwalhati Antonino. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
From the National Economic and Development Authority
Lone bid for LRT 1 South Extension, changes in irrigation projects also approved
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved three new infrastructure projects amounting to PhP139.77 billion in a meeting today chaired by President Benigno S. Aquino III.
These projects are the 1.) Laguna Lakeshore Expressway-Dike Project, 2.) Laguindingan Airport Development, Operations and Maintenance Project, and the 3.) New Bohol Airport Development, Operations and Maintenance Project.
“The approval of these new infrastructure projects is a timely contribution to the improvement of the country’s connectivity and efficiency, mitigating disaster-risks, supporting agricultural production, and pursuing energy and water security. These are all in line with strategies of the Updated Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016,” according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.
Meanwhile, the NEDA Board also approved the single PhP9.35 billion-bid of the Light Rail Manila Consortium for the LRT Line 1 South Extension Project. The project will improve access to central Manila through providing off-street public transport connections to the rapidly growing southern portion of Metro Manila and the province of Cavite.
Approved in November 23, 2013, the project will provide focal points for transit-oriented development in the area and spur economic activity along its alignment such as the reclamation area facing Manila Bay.
“All these projects are aligned with the government’s overall strategy of increasing public infrastructure spending for the country to provide Filipinos with quality, adequate, and accessible infrastructure facilities and services,” the Cabinet official added.
Moreover, the NEDA Board approved the changes in funding source and cost of the Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project-Irrigation Component (CMIPP-IC) Phase II and the Umayam River Irrigation Project (URIP).
The CMIPP-IC Phase II’s funding will now be fully locally-sourced instead of foreign-assisted. Thus, the estimated total project cost was changed to PhP5.45 billion from the originally-approved PhP7.61 billion. Similarly, the URIP will now be locally-funded instead of foreign-assisted, which decreased the cost to PhP1.40 billion from the originally-approved PhP1.56 billion.
On another matter, the NEDA Board confirmed the Infrastructure Committee’s approval of the Transport Development for Metro Manila and its surrounding areas (Regions III and CALABARZON). The roadmap will serve as guide in the development of policies, prioritization, and design of programs and projects, as well as harmonize all efforts, realize synergy and improve coordination among transport agencies.
Following are the details of the newly-approved projects:
Laguna Lakeshore Expressway-Dike Project
Estimated total cost: PhP122.81 billion
Proponent: Department of Public Works and Highways
Description: The project will provide a high-standard highway-dike that will facilitate traffic flow and mitigate flooding in western coastal communities along the Laguna Lake. It will serve the fast-growing urban areas in southern Metro Manila towards Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon, with intensive residential, commercial, and industrial land uses.
Estimated implementation period: Concession period is thirty-seven (37) years. This consists of seven (7) years for design and construction and thirty (30) years for operation and maintenance.
Proposed mode of financing: Public-Private Partnership
Laguindingan Airport Development, Operations and Maintenance Project
Estimated total cost: PhP14.62 billion
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Communications
Description: The project will improve Laguindingan Airport’s capacity and upgrade its facilities and equipment to be of international standards through engaging a private entity under an appropriate Public-Private Partnership arrangement. This will also replace the Cagayan de Oro (Lumbia) Airport, which served as large catchment area of Northern Mindanao.
Estimated implementation schedule: Thirty (30) years concession period including construction (2015-2044)
Proposed mode of financing: Public-Private Partnership
New Bohol Airport Development, Operations and Maintenance Project
Estimated total cost: PhP2.34 billion
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Communications
Description: The project will provide the structuring and implementation of a Public-Private Partnership arrangement for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the New Bohol Airport. This includes the selection of an international or national consortium for the active marketing of the airport and develop direct international passenger traffic. The consortium will also be in charge of infusing necessary capital investments to upgrade facility capacity in terms of passengers or Air Traffic Movement.
Estimated implementation schedule: Construction period is from 2014-2016. Maximum concession period is thirty-five (35) years.
Proposed mode of financing: Public-Private Partnership
neda.gov.ph