DPWH expects P152-B Laguna Lakeshore project on auction block in late 2014 or early 2015

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday said the P152-billion Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike project, its biggest public private partnership (PPP) initiative, was rejected last Thursday by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board headed by President Benigno Aquino III.

 

Still, the department expects the project to go on the auction block – either later this year or early next year.

 

The department intends to assuage specific issues regarding the environmental impact of the project. 

 

“We have just to clarify some of the concerns of the NEDA Board, but – as I said – we have time to clarify the environment and technical concerns,” Singson said.

 

Among the issues that needed to be clarified were the height of the dike, the water circulation system, the distinction between low lying communities and new islands as part of the reclamation, and the new pumping stations.

 

Once the issues are resolved and the project is approved, the department will give investors five to six months to prepare the bidding.  The winner is expected to build the expressway and reclaim 500 to 700 hectares of land.

 

A 47-kilometer expressway dike is envisioned to help ease traffic on the highway and the flooding in the coastal communities along the lake – from Bicutan in Taguig City, to Calamba and Los Baños in Laguna. – VS, GMA News