The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board approved the Philippine Civil Service Modernization (PCSM) project to upgrade government agencies’ human resource information systems.
During its 20th meeting on Wednesday, the NEDA board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved the PCSM project to provide more accurate payroll processing and better coordination in government agencies.
The project will be implemented in 39 pilot government agencies in 2025 and expand to 1,187 government agencies within the next decade.
“The public sector employs nearly two million individuals who are essential to the provision of public services. If the system lacks efficiency, and government agencies are not interconnected, we cannot optimize our service delivery,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.
“By implementing new technologies, the project will automate and digitalize processes to enhance efficiency, leading to better coordination and response times, more accurate payroll processing, and streamlined recruitment and onboarding,” he added.
In the same meeting, the board also confirmed the ad referendum approval of the extension for the submission of comparative proposals for the upgrade, expansion, operations, and maintenance of the Laguindingan International Airport until Sept. 13.
The airport is an international gateway in Northern Mindanao that serves the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Marawi, as well as the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon.
“Upon the end of the challenge period for the Laguindingan airport, if there is no challenger, the project is expected to be awarded by end of September. Meanwhile if there is a challenge placed, the award of the project is be expected to be made by mid of December this year,” Balisacan said.
Currently, Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC) holds the original proponent status for the P12.75 billion upgrade of the airport.
Additionally, the NEDA board approved a P2.4 billion increase in the budget and an extension of the loan validity and implementation period for the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project (MMPBSIP).
The project aims to mitigate the effects of large-scale earthquakes in Metro Manila by replacing, retrofitting, and strengthening the Guadalupe Bridge and the Lambingan Bridge.
It also aims to enhance the earthquake resilience of the National Capital Region to minimize possible disruptions to economic activity in the event of major natural disasters.
The P2.4 billion budget increase brings the total cost of the project to P10.339 billion. This additional funding will be allocated to the rise in civil works, procurement of additional materials, and modifications in the installation method.
The board approved the extension of the project’s implementation period to December 30, 2028, along with the extensions of the validity of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loans for the MMPBSIP.
“These major projects approved by the NEDA Board are expected to further enhance our country’s economic productivity as we invest in initiatives that promote a more robust and sustainable development trajectory in the long term,” the NEDA chief said.