SMC’s airport proposal, 7 other projects get NEDA Board approval

Eight infrastructure projects, including the unsolicited proposal for a Bulacan International Airport, have been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, led by President Rodrigo Duterte.

In an emailed statement, NEDA said the approvals happened during a meeting on Wednesday, April 25. The board is chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte

“We are pleased to see more infrastructure projects in the pipeline,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Penia said.

The biggest project is the P735.634-billion unsolicited proposal for the Bulacan International Airport submitted by San Miguel Corp. (SMC).

The project involves the construction, operation, and maintenance of the airport in a 2,500-hectare property in Bulakan, Bulacan.

The airport development will cover the passenger terminal building with airside and landside facilities, and an airport toll road.

The project will now undergo a Swiss Challenge for other prospective companies to compete against the SMC proposal. As the original project proponent, SMC has the right to match any bid by its competitors.

The NEDA Board also approved seven other projects:

• Subic-Clark Railway Project (P50.03 billion)

• Clark International Airport Expansion Project Operations and Maintenance PPP (P5.61 billion)

• Ambal-Simuay River and Rio Grande de Mindanao River Flood Control Projects (P39.2 billion)

• Pasig-Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway Bridges Construction Project (P5.98 billion)

• Bridge Construction Acceleration Project for Socioeconomic Development (P11.369 billion)

• Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth or RAPID Growth (P4.78 billion)

• Davao Food Complex Project (P1.086 billion)

“As we roll them out, government shall keep working towards developing the country’s infrastructure to ensure easing of congestion in Metro Manila and spreading growth to the regions,” Pernia said. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News