NEDA committee approves five projects worth P32.67B

The Investment Coordination Committee, a recommendatory body to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board, on Monday approved the P9.76 billion-extension project for the Light Railway Transit along with four other projects with a total cost of P32.67 billion.

 

The LRT Line 2 Extension Project will involve the construction of a 4.19-kilometer extension from the existing Santolan Station to the Masinag Junction. The total length of the LRT Line 2 will be around 16.75 kilometers upon completion of this extension.

 

Furthermore, according to NEDA-ICC, two stations will be built along in front of Robinson’s Place Metro East along Emerald Drive in Cainta, Rizal, and at the Masinag Junction in Antipolo City.

 

“The project will provide rapid and reliable mode of transit to the east of Manila and to various strategic commercial, industrial and educational districts in Metro Manila,” said NEDA deputy director-general Rolando Tungpalan. “This project aims to reduce the use of motorized vehicles that contribute to both air and noise pollution.”

 

The project’s total approved cost of P9.76 billion will be entirely financed by its proponent, the Department of Transportation and Communications.

 

Another project approved by the ICC is the modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center. The project includes a 700-bed tertiary orthopedic hospital within the National Kidney and Transplant Institute Complex along East Avenue in Quezon City. 

 

With an approved cost of P5.69 billion, the project also involves the supply, installation, operations and management of modern diagnostics equipment and IT facilities.

 

Another project approved by the NEDA-ICC is the Upgrading and Rehabilitation Project of the Navotas Fish Port Complex. Tungpalan said, “The project fulfills the government’s goal of raising productivity and incomes of fishery-based households through improving infrastructure.”

 

The project will be implemented by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority. It will cost P2.70 billion

 

The second phase of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Bridge Construction Acceleration Project for Calamity-Stricken Areas was also approved. 

 

The project, with funding from the Austrian government, involves the construction and replacement of 66 temporary bridges with steel structures across the Philippines’ 15 regions. 

 

Tungpalan characterized the project as providing reliable, safe, and continuous transport service that will reduce travel distance, time, and transport costs of passengers and goods. The P6.12-billion project will aid the government’s target of building 7,958 permanent bridges by the end of 2016.

 

The National Roads Bridge Placement Project, which will be funded by the British government with a total approved cost of P8.4 billion, involves building and replacing 133 bridges across the country.

 

“The NBRBP is responsive to the infrastructure goals of the Philippine Development Plan and is expected to increase transport access to basic services and economic opportunities,” said Tungpalan.

 

The ICC’s approval of these five projects will be endorsed to the NEDA board for confirmation. The board, chaired by President Benigno Aquino III, is the country's highest development planning and policy coordinating body. —DVM/VS, GMA News