6 infra projects up for Marcos approval, says Balisacan

MANILA  -Six infrastructure projects will be up for President Marcos’ approval, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

The Neda board, chaired by Marcos, will convene on Friday, Oct. 13, to discuss these projects, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a Viber message on Thursday.

Balisacan did not answer questions on the costs of these projects. But as of August 2023, the latest government data available showed eight “flagship” infrastructure projects with a combined indicative cost of P254.9 billion were already scheduled “for government approval”.

READ: Marcos to order gov’t units to simplify, speed up flagship projects’ approval

Broken down, five of the eight projects will be funded by official development assistance (ODA) while the rest are public-private partnerships (PPPs).

The projects that will be bankrolled through ODA are the UK-assisted “iconic bridge projects”, Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur-Abra Irrigation project, Mindanao Rail Project Phase 1, Parañaque Spillway Tunnel project and Tumauini River Multipurpose project.

Meanwhile, the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Plant Complex Rehabilitation under Series of Project 1, North Luzon East Expressway, and UP Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Diliman project will receive financing from the private sector.

READ: Neda approves 194 infrastructure projects

The Marcos Jr. administration counts 197 projects worth P9 trillion in its flagship infrastructure program. Of those projects, 29 have been approved for implementation while 71 are ongoing.

The government has so far completed one project—the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project.