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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos leads NEDA Board approval of P269.7-B in tourism, healthcare projects

Marcos leads NEDA Board approval of P269.7-B in tourism, healthcare projects

Published Oct 13, 2023 06:29 am

President Marcos led the approval of several high-impact projects amounting to P269.7 billion to boost tourism and gaps in the country's healthcare system.

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President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and NEDA Secreatry Arsenio Balisacan discuss high-impact projects during the NEDA Board metting on Oct. 13, 2023. (Photo courtesy of PCO)

Marcos gave a greenlight to six projects during the 10th meeting of the NEDA Board, which he chairs, on Friday, Oct. 13.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a Palace briefing that the newly-approved public-private partnership (PPP) projects aim to  "boost tourism and address gaps in our healthcare system."

Among the approved projects was the establishment of a P392-million dialysis center of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, the largest government-funded tertiary hospital in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

"Currently, the Baguio General Hospital only has 30 machines, all of which are working at full capacity. Thus, this solicited PPP project will increase the number of active hemodialysis machines to 108 by 2029. This will enable the Baguio General Hospital to provide more affordable dialysis treatment to a greater number of chronic kidney disease patients," Balisacan said.

The President also approved the upgrade, expansion, operations, and maintenance of the Bohol Panglao International Airport which has a total cost of P4.5 billion.

The NEDA chief said the unsolicited PPP project aims to increase the passenger capacity and improve the passenger experience at the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, which can currently cater to two million passengers annually.

The approved expansion project is seen to increase passengers per year to 2.5 million and 3.9 million by the end of the project.

Marcos also gave a nod to the Green Economy Programme in the Philippines, which aims to build the capacity of the national government, local governments, and the private sector to mainstream and sustain green economy activities, enhance our circular economy, reduce waste and plastic, and increase energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment.

It will be financed through a P3.62-billion grant from the European Union.

Increased funding

Marcos has also approved the changes to the cost and implementation of three major projects.

The cost of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge project will be increased to P219.3 billion from P175.6 billion, and the implementation period will be extended to December 2029.

The project involves the construction of a 32.15-kilometer bridge over Manila Bay that will reduce travel time between Bataan and Cavite from 4-5 hours to 30-45 minutes.

The cost of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRP) project will also be increased to P 28.78 billion from P16.3 billion while its implementation period will be extended until the end of December 2027, and the loan validity from AFD and World Bank will be extended until September 2027.

According to Balisacan, the changes will support the inclusion of mixed traffic sections from Bulacao-Talisay, SRP-Talisay, and IT Park-Talamban, and additional stations and terminals, optimization of routes, and buses.

Marcos likewise gave a nod to the second additional financing of the Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility.

The NEDA Board deemed it necessary as Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility involves the conduct of feasibility studies, detailed engineering design, and other project preparation activities that usually take between 12 to 24 months.

The second additional financing will include more infrastructure flagship projects to its scope, allowing more projects to be implemented sooner. It will have a total project cost of P13.08 billion, P11.38 billion of which will be financed through Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Related Tags

Arsenio Balisacan NEDA Board PPP President Marcos
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