MANILA – The Duterte administration is targeting to complete almost half of the 75 big-ticket infrastructure projects under the ”Build, Build, Build” initiative by 2022, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said recently.
“In terms of total, about 32 of the 75 will be completed by 2022,” NEDA assistant secretary Jonathan Uy said in a press briefing in Pasig City.
The remaining 43 projects are targeted to be completed beyond 2022.
“All these 75 projects are targeted to be implemented by this administration. The objective now is to complete,” Uy said.
Among those targeted to be completed by the end of the Duterte administration’s term include the Clark International Airport Expansion Project, Subic-Clark Railway Project, PNR South Commuter Line (Tutuban to Los Baños), PNR South Long-Haul (Manila-Bicol).
The administration also intends to complete the MRT-LRT Common Station Project, Metro Manila BRT Line 1 (Quezon Avenue), Metro Manila BRT Line 2 (EDSA/Central), New Cebu International Container Port, Mindanao Railway Project Phase 1-Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment, Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, Bonifacio Global City to Ortigas Center Road Link Project, and Panguil Bay Bridge Project.
Uy reported that the NEDA Board, chaired by President Duterte, has so far approved 35 out of 75 infrastructure flagship projects.
The latest tally is almost double compared with last year’s list of 18 projects.
“Beyond NEDA Board approval, the projects will have to go through the remaining phases of the project cycle. We must keep the infrastructure momentum and make sure there are no delays,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.
The 75 projects with a required investment of P1.879 trillion were adopted by the NEDA Board on June 27, 2017.
The 35 projects that have been approved underwent full reviews by an interagency Cabinet-level body.
Thirty-two of the 35 projects are now in various stages of implementation – budgeting and financing, detailed engineering design and procurement – before actual construction or the stage visible to the general public, according to NEDA.
“Since the start of this administration, the NEDA Board has approved projects at a quicker pace while ascertaining their technical, financial, economic and social merits. We are determined to close the infrastructure gap, a crucial endeavor for us to achieve our long-term vision of a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay for all, which everyone deserves,” Pernia said.
NEDA also launched its weekly radio program – “Tunog ng Progreso” – in partnership with the Philippine Broadcasting Service’s Bureau of Broadcast Services.
Pernia said the program intends to help Filipinos better understand economic concepts by explaining their practical application in everyday life. (GMA News)
