By Lilybeth G. Ison
The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) has approved 11 infrastructure projects totaling P113.54 billion.
This was announced by Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang, in a chance interview at the sidelines of the lighting of the giant christmas tree of the Office of the President held Thursday evening at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacanang.
Among the projects approved by the NEDA BOard chaired by President Benigno Aquino III were the P25.56-billion NLEX-SLEX Connector slated from 2013 to 2016, and the P43-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway from 2012-2017, which were approved "in principle" pending review of their costs.
"They (NLEX-SLEX Connector and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway) were approved conditionally. There are certain conditions that needed to be approved," said Carandang.
"We wanted to do another verification of the costings because what you get here's indicative cost. The President wants the numbers to be checked again to see if they can be lowered," he said.
The other projects approved in the more than seven hours NEDA Board meeting were: the P1.14-billion Albay West Coast Road Project (2014-2016); P2.1-billion Tacloban Airport Redevelopment Project (2013-2016); P8.8-billion Acquisition of Multi-Role Response vessels (2012-2016); P8.87-billion Mactan, Cebu Airport Terminal (Phase 1, 2014-2016); P1.7-billion Contactless Automatic Fare Collection System; P68-million Component A of the Convergence on Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (2013-2019); P7.39-billion Extension of the Mindanao Rural Development Project 2 (2012-2014); P1.16-billion Rehabilitation of Angat Hydroelectric Plant Turbines 4 and 5 (2013-2014); and the P13.14-billion School Infrastructure Project covering 10,679 classrooms (2013-2014).
Carandang explained that the long meeting was necessary "because there are over a dozen projects and we really went over the details of (each of) the projects."
He said some of the approved projects will be internally funded, some will have some debt, some will have some private equity funding.
"Iba-iba ‘yung financing schemes for the different projects. (It's) a combination of sources," he added.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that with the approval of the MRDP-2 extension project, "this will provide boost to the Aquino administration’s goal of promoting inclusive economic growth since MRDP-2 projects are focused on improving incomes of poor communities in the region."
Launched in 2007, the program will supposedly end by December 2012. But with the approval of the proposed two-year extension, the DA expects to complete more agricultural projects until 2014.
On the other hand, the 13-kilometer NLEX-SLEX Connector Road is expected to start early next year and would create 8,000 jobs.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=60036.0