Press Conference Statement
Arsenio M. Balisacan, PhD
Secretary
National Economic and Development Authority
Malacañang Press Conference
19 July 2023
Malacañang Press Briefer Daphne Oseña-Paez,
Members of the Malacañang Press Corps,
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
It is my pleasure to update everyone on the agreements reached during the 7th Meeting of the NEDA Board, which was presided over by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. this morning.
Today, the NEDA Board approved three new infrastructure projects while also approving changes for four ongoing projects, particularly in disaster risk reduction and climate change, irrigation, and transportation.
Among the three new approved projects is the Solicited Proposal to Rehabilitate, Operate, Expand, and Transfer the Ninoy Aquino International Airport PPP Project, also known as the Solicited NAIA PPP Project. This project is under the Department of Transportation and the Manila International Airport Authority.
With a total project cost of PHP 170.6 billion, the goal of the project is to address longstanding issues at NAIA, such as the inadequate capacity of passenger terminal buildings and restricted aircraft movement. It aims to increase the current annual airport capacity from 35 million to at least 62 million passengers. The NAIA PPP Project also aims to increase air traffic movement from 40 to 48 per hour. The project is also expected to improve the overall passenger experience and service quality to prevent long queues, lengthy waiting times, and other passenger inconveniences.
Another new project approved by the NEDA Board is the Samar Pacific Coastal Road II Project, which amounts to PHP 7.48 billion. The project involves the construction of two marine bridges—the Laoang II Bridge and Calomotan Bridge—and improvement of existing roads between Laoang Island and mainland Samar Island with a total length of 15 kilometers.
Moreover, the NEDA Board also approved the Unsolicited Proposal for the Upgrade, Expansion, Operation, and Maintenance of the Laguindingan International Airport Project, known as the Unsolicited Laguindingan Airport PPP Project, located in Misamis Oriental. The project aims to integrate concepts of “Green” and “Connected” Airports into its design and operation and use digital technologies to enhance the passenger experience. This project will be implemented by the DOTr and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. Worth PHP 12.75 billion, the project supports the government’s efforts to enhance regional development and promote tourism in Northern Mindanao and its neighboring regions.
Meanwhile, the NEDA Board also approved requests for reasonable changes in scope, cost, design and/or loan validity of four ongoing infrastructure projects (See ANNEX for the full list).
Lastly, the NEDA Board also confirmed the Proposed Adoption of a National Policy on Infrastructure Sector Master Plans. The policy aims to harmonize and rationalize the formulation of master plans for the infrastructure sector across the government. This is to ensure that the master plans are coordinated, synergistic, responsive to the emerging issues, and consistent with the sector’s priority development strategies. Following this confirmation, an executive order will be issued to strengthen its implementation nationwide.
Let me conclude by stating that the approvals made by the NEDA Board today are evidence of the Marcos Administration’s strong commitment to achieving the objectives and targets of the 8-point socioeconomic agenda and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. These plans aim to significantly reduce poverty and foster inclusive growth for all Filipinos.
Thank you, and I look forward to answering your questions.
-END-
ANNEX
The NEDA Board approved the following changes on ongoing projects, namely:
- Loan Validity Extension and Implementation Period Extension of the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation or IDRR-CCA Measures in Low-Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay Project. Total project cost: PHP 7.5 billion.
- Extension of Implementation Period, Loan Validity, Increase in Cost, Reallocation of Loan Proceeds, and Change in Scope and Design of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II project or the JRMP II project. Total project cost: PHP 19.6 billion.
- Change in the project scope, decrease in cost, and extension of the implementation period for the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project Stage II or MMIP II. Total project cost: PHP 5.1 billion.
- Cebu Bus Rapid Transit or CBRT Project Loan Validity Extension until December 31, 2025.