Press Conference Statement
Arsenio M. Balisacan, PhD
Secretary
National Economic and Development Authority
Malacañang Press Conference
9 November 2023
Malacañang Press Briefer Daphne Oseña-Paez,
Members of the Malacañang Press Corps,
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.
I am pleased to announce that the National Economic and Development Authority Board or NEDA Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., convened and approved three high-impact projects during its eleventh meeting today.
Pang-Agraryong Tulay Para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka (PBBM Bridges)
First, the NEDA Board approved the Pang-Agraryong Tulay Para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka or PBBM Bridges Project of the Department of Agrarian Reform. This project, with a total cost of PHP 28.2 billion, aims to construct 350 modular steel bridges with an estimated total length of 10,500 linear meters. These bridges will enhance access and connectivity for agrarian reform communities.
To improve the quality of life in rural areas, the approved project aims to increase the productivity and income of at least 350,000 households. The ease of mobility and access to and from the agrarian reform communities will generate more employment and address the communities’ need for better access to social services and market outlets for their agricultural products.
Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard, Phase III
Second, the NEDA Board approved Phase 3 of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard. This project involves the design, construction, and delivery of five units of multi-role response vessels or MRRVs, each with a length of 97 meters. This project also includes a five-year integrated logistics support.
This will further improve the Philippine Coast Guard’s capability to respond to threats and incidents within the country’s maritime jurisdiction. In particular, the project will enable the Coast Guard to secure important sea lines of communication in the West Philippine Sea, Sulu-Celebes Seas, and the Philippine Sea. It will also help the PCG combat illegal activities and enforce maritime laws in the Philippine waters.
The total project cost is PHP 29.3 billion, which will be financed through an Official Development Assistance or ODA loan from the Government of Japan.
Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Extension Project
Third, the NEDA Board approved the revised parameters, terms, and conditions, or PTCs, of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway or TPLEX Extension Project as recommended by the Investment Coordination Committee of the NEDA Board. These PTCs were negotiated between the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Original Proponent of the unsolicited PPP project.
Following this approval, the DPWH will proceed with the publication of the invitation for comparative proposals in accordance with the Revised 2022 Build-Operate-Transfer Law Implementing Rules and Regulations, as well as the ICC Guidelines on Processing PPP proposals.
Approved in June this year, the TPLEX Extension Project involves a 59.4-kilometer toll road, which will connect from the last exit of TPLEX in Rosario, La Union and will terminate in San Juan, La Union. This is expected to stimulate economic activity, alleviate road congestion, provide better and safer road access, and promote the development of new growth centers in nearby regions.
Third Quarter 2023 Progress Report on the Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs) under the Build-Better-More (BBM) Program
Lastly, let me share with you the progress of our Infrastructure Flagship Projects or IFPs under the Build-Better-More Program.
As the lead monitoring agency for IFPs, NEDA reported that one of the 197 IFPs, specifically the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project by the Department of Public Works and Highways, has been completed. The 18.65-kilometer road project links the towns of Laoang, Catubig, and Palapag by establishing a circumferential road around the entire Samar Island. The road is expected to enhance economic activity in the region by improving the delivery and movement of essential goods and services and creating more job opportunities.
Additionally, there are currently 71 ongoing projects, 29 projects approved for implementation, 9 projects awaiting government approval, 52 projects in the project preparation phase, and 35 projects in the pre-project preparation phase as of the third quarter of 2023.
The Marcos administration remains steadfast in its dedication to enhancing connectivity, ramping up employment-creating investments, and significantly improving living standards for every Filipino by ensuring the efficient implementation of these high-impact projects. We will continue with our commitment to pursue important initiatives to ensure social and economic transformation towards a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay para sa lahat.
Thank you.
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