2 infra projects worth P31.7B OKd

Economic managers last week green-lighted two infrastructure projects worth a total of P31.7 billion as well as additional financing for a new airport in Bohol, state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority said yesterday.

One of the projects approved during last Friday’s Neda Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) meeting was the P20.3-billion first phase of the Safe Philippines Project to be rolled out by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The Neda said the DILG-led project would involve the construction of 18 integrated operations and command centers, which would be equipped with video surveillance systems and remote backup data center.

“The Safe Philippines Project aims to improve the capabilities of local government units toward collaborative and more efficient management of public order, security and safety,” the Neda said.

“We value the need of the people to feel safe wherever they are in the country and to be able to go about their business and other pursuits. This is essential in building the foundation for inclusive growth, a high trust society, and a globally competitive knowledge economy,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and Neda chief Ernesto M. Pernia said.

The Neda ICC-CabCom also approved the P11.4-billion Bridge Construction and Acceleration Project for Socioeconomic Development, under which five “iconic” bridges and 25 truss bridges would be built by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The bridges, aimed for completion in 2022, will have a combined length of 2,848 lineal meters in nine regions.

Also, the Neda ICC-CabCom gave its go-ahead for the P1.2-billion additional financing for the Bohol Panglao International Airport.

The increase in funding will “address further civil works requirements of the project” aimed to be completed by June next year, Neda said. —BEN O. DE VERA