Neda Board OKs Swiss challenge for SMC’s ‘aerotropolis’, 19 other projects

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO (FILE)

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board has approved the Swiss challenge for the unsolicited proposal of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to build a P735.6-billion “aerotropolis” in Bulacan, on top of 19 other infrastructure projects as well as financing schemes.

In a text message to finance reporters Wednesday night, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said that while the Neda Board, chaired by the President, confirmed the Bulacan International Airport Project to be implemented by the Department of Transportation, it was still “subject to final review of concession agreement.”

Also approved by the Neda Board were the following:

The DOTr’s P50-billion Subic-Clark Railway Project;
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority’s P12.6-billio Clark International Airport Expansion Project-Operations and Maintenance Public-Private Partnership concession;
The Department of Public Works and Highways’ P39.2-billion Ambal-Simuay River and Rio Grande de Mindanao River Flood Control Projects;
The DPWH’s P27.4-billion Pasig-Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway Bridges Construction Project;
The DPWH’s P11.4-billion Bridge Construction Acceleration Project for Socio-Economic Development;
The DPWH’s P6.2-million Oroposed Change in Scope and Cost and Loan Validity Extension of the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Low-Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay;
The Department of Trade and Industry’s P4.8-billion Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth Project, “subject to have a two-phased approach with up to 25 percent of total project costs as pilot-testing phase and upon successful performance evaluation, will expand the project to second phase of up to 75 percent of total project costs”;
The DTI’s P1-billion Davao Food Complex Project;
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ P7.2-billion Proposed Restructuring for the Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management Project;
The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ P1.7-billion Proposed Change in Scope and Cost for Integrated Marine Environment Monitoring System Phase 2 Project; and
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s P14.3-million Proposed Increase in Cost of the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project.

Via ad referendum, the following projects were also confirmed by the Neda Board:

The DPWH’s Change in Financing from local funding to Official Development Assistance (ODA) of the Arterial Bypass Project Phase 3, Contract Packages 1, 2, and 4;
The DPWH’s P25.3-billion Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project (Tawi-Tawi Bridges);
The National Irrigation Administration’s P4.4-billion Proposed Change in Design and Increase in Cost of the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project;
The Land Bank of the Philippines’ P1.3-billion Conflict-Sensitive Resource and Asset Management Program-Financial Cooperation;
The Department of the Interior and Local Government’s P20.3-billion Safe Philippines Project Phase 1, “subject to having security component linked with other infrastructure projects”;
The DOTr’s Request for Supplemental Loan for the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project;
The DPWH’s P1-billion Request for 24-Month Loan Validity Extension, Revision of Construction Period and Schedule, and Change in Scope of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project; and
The NIA’s P11.2-billion Request for 46-Month Extension of Loan Validity and Project Completion Schedule for the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project, Stage 2.
/kga