NEDA Board approves P171.14B worth of projects

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved nine projects worth P171.14 billion during its first meeting under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte on September 14.

“Once implemented and completed, these approved projects will help attain our medium- and long-term development goals of making the agricultural sector competitive, improving mobility by making our transport system safer and more efficient, increasing disaster resiliency, and improving health services ,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said in an emailed statement on Thursday.

The nine projects set to be completed within the next six years include:

• The P10.2-billion Inclusive Partnership for Agricultural Competitiveness (IPAC) under the Department of Agrarian Reform

• The P2.4-billion Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center Modernization (EVRMC) Project of the Department of Health (DOH)

• The P2.2-billion Modernization of Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, also under the DOH

• The P23.5-billion Metro Manila Flood Management Project, Phase I of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

• The P37.8-billion Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)-EDSA of the Department of Transportation (DOTr)

• The P4.8-billion expansion of the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) Area of the Bicol International Airport, a joint project of the DOTr and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)

• The P7.4-billion change in the scope of the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project, also under the DOTr and CAAP

• The P74.6-billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport public-private partnership (PPP)

• The P8-billion Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the PCG, Phase II of the DOTr and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)

NEDA Board revamp

The NEDA Board is expected to halved its members to 11 from 22.

The Board will be reduced to the following members: the President, the secretaries of NEDA, DOF, DTI, DPWH, DBM, DOTr, DOE, the Executive Secretary, the chairperson of MINDA, and the central bank deputy governor.

The NEDA Board Executive Committee composed of the President, the secretaries of NEDA, DOF, DBM, and the Executive Secretary will be reactivated.

“These changes in membership will still be formalized through an Administrative Order or Memorandum Order. Through Executive Order 230, the President is empowered to modify the membership of the NEDA Board whenever deemed necessary,” NEDA said. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News