Economic managers OK 2 infra projects worth P31.7-B

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 province, the state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority said Tuesday.

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.

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

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

“We value the need of 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, for his part, said.

The Neda ICC-CabCom also approved the P11.4-billion Bridge Construction and Acceleration Project for Socioeconomic Development, under which five “iconic” bridges as well as 25 truss bridges will 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 running across nine regions.

Also, the Neda ICC-CabCom gave its go-ahead for the P1.2-billion additional financing for the new 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. /je