DPWH, DOF review ODA-assisted projects in PH

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Finance (DOF) vowed to implement more efficient and effective public infrastructure projects and took advantage of the Covid-19 hiatus toward economic recovery and sustainable development.

Officials from the DPWH and DOF met on Friday, Sept. 2, for the review of flagship infrastructure projects funded by the Official Development Assistance (ODA).

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the review meeting is in line with their goal of stepping up the implementation of key infrastructure projects to support the government’s economic recovery and create the country’s foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth.

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain said the external sources of funds such as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Korean Government’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), China ODA, World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and United Kingdom affirmed commitment to sustain infrastructure partnership with the Philippine government by providing support investments to bankroll numerous big-ticket infrastructure projects.

The Japanese government thru JICA currently supports the Arterial Road Bypass Project, Phase Ill (Plaridel Bypass); Davao City Bypass Construction Project; Road Network Development Project in Conflict Affected Areas in Mindanao; Programme for the Support to Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Marawi City and its Surrounding Areas; Cebu-Mactan Bridge (4th Bridge) and Coastal Road Construction Project; Metro Manila Priority Bridges for Seismic Improvement Project (Guadalupe and Lambingan Bridges); Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, Phase IIl (improvement of remaining sections along Pasig River, Delpan Bridge to Napindan Channel); Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, Phase IV; Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan River, Tagoloan River and Imus River; Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan De Oro River; and Cavite Industrial Area Flood Management Project.

Projects covered by financing partnership arrangements with ADB, a multilateral financial institutions, are the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project; Emergency Assistance for Reconstruction & Recovery of Marawi (Output 2: Reconstruction and Development Plan for a Greater Marawi, Stage 2; Metro Manila Bridges Project (3 Bridges connecting Marikina City and Quezon City: Kabayani-Katipunan Avenue Extension Bridge formerly Marikina-Vista Real Bridge, Homeowners Drive-A. Bonifacio Avenue Bridge formerly J.P. Rizal-Lopez Jaena Bridge, and Marcos Highway-St. Mary Bridge formerly J.P. Rizal-St. Mary Bridge); Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge; and Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, Phase I.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government through a bilateral loan agreement and/or grant financing facility are involved in the following projects: Metro Manila Logistics Network - China-Grant Bridges: Binondo-Intramuros and Estrella-Pantaleon Bridges; Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge; Priority Bridges crossing Pasig-Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway Bridges Construction Project (3 Bridges: North & South Harbor Bridge, Palanca-Villegas Bridge, and Eastbank-Westbank Bridge); Panglao-Tagbilaran City Offshore Bridge Connector; Davao City Expressway; and Ambal-Simuay River and Rio Grande de Mindanao River Flood Control and Riverbank Protection Project.

Under Korea ODA are the design and build for the construction of Panguil Bay Bridge; Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project; Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in the Low-Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay; and Panay-Guimaras-Negros Link Bridge.

Projects under Wold Bank and AIIB are the Metro Manila Flood Management Project - Phase I and Philippine Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project while the United Kingdom is interested in financing the construction of three long span bridges in the Province of Cagayan namely Alcala, Pinacanauan, and Solana-Bagay under Iconic Bridge Project for Socio-Economic Development, Phase I.

"The investments on these public infrastructure on various parts of the country will be the cornerstones way forward to recovery from the pandemic for sustainable development," said Sadain.

The meeting held at DOF Head Office was also participated by DOF Executive Director Helena B. Habulan; UPMO Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista, Sharif Madsmo H. Hasim, Ramon A. Arriola III, Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, and Soledad R. Florencio; and Project Manager Shirley O. Castro.

Sadain said the public infrastructure in various parts of the country, such as the construction of roads, bridges, and flood control projects financed under foreign grants and loans, will be the cornerstones way forward to recovery from the pandemic for sustainable development.