FLAGSHIP PROJECTS TO SPUR INFRA DEV’T

Neda board okays updated IFP list, other projects

THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved the addition of 23 new projects and delisting of 36 projects from the list of Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs) under the BuildBetter-More program during its 14th meeting Tuesday, February 27, 2024. This adjustment now brings the total number of IFPs to 185 projects, with a total value of PHP9.14 trillion.

Neda Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, who also serves as the Neda Board Vice Chair, emphasized that the recent decision aims to prioritize crucial projects to ensure they receive the necessary support for efficient and accelerated implementation.

“Our list of IFPs under the Build-Better-More Program serves as a prioritization tool to identify high-impact infrastructure projects that require immediate government support. By rationalizing the list, we ensure the implementation of as many important infrastructure projects of high significance as possible,” Balisacan added.

However, Balisacan clarified that certain projects removed from the list will still proceed as planned as they were already part of the regular government programs.

Meanwhile, Neda Undersecretary Joseph J. Capuno reported to the NEDA Board the overall progress of the projects from the previous IFP list. As of the fourth quarter of 2023, 74 IFPs were already being implemented, 30 had been approved for implementation, 10 were awaiting government approval, and 83 were undergoing either project or pre-project preparation.

In 2023, one project on the IFP list, the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, was completed on June 30 and inaugurated on July 14.

Among the 74 ongoing projects, 19 are scheduled to be completed this year.

“We will continue to monitor, review, and update the list of IFPs as necessary to prioritize the most important infrastructure projects. The NEDA Board is committed to approving measures needed to expedite the implementation of the Build-Better-More Program,” stated the government’s chief economic planner.

The Neda Board also approved changes in the scope of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project. This decision came after reassessing the overall cost of the project, considering its expanded scope and the new post-pandemic market conditions. Consequently, the Board approved a supplemental loan of P14.6 billion for the project, as the total cost increased to P70.8 billion. The changes will also involve extending the implementation period until December 31, 2027.

This project intends to improve the physical connectivity between Davao City and Panabo City. It is expected to reduce travel time and improve the traffic situation between the two cities from 1 hour and 44 minutes to 49 minutes upon completion.

“While this project was first approved by the NEDA Board in 2015, its implementation was hampered by the pandemic. The changes in the project scope and cost will ensure that this key infrastructure project receives the necessary support for its successful completion,” Balisacan said.

Lastly, the Neda Board confirmed the Integrated Water Resources Master Plan (IWMP) spearheaded by the Water Resources Management Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The IWMP will serve as the comprehensive national policy for managing water resources in the country to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient water supply at any time, particularly during adverse weather conditions such as El Niño. /