NEDA approves P146.9B infra, dev't projects

The National Economic and Development Authority on Friday approved five infrastructure and community development-related projects, including two in the government’s priority public-private partnership (PPP) list. The infrastructure projects include the P35.5-billion Cavite-Laguna expressway (Cala-Ex) that is envisioned to be a four-lane, 47.02-kilometer road connector, as well as a P25.56-billion proposal to construct an elevated expressway over the Philippine National Railway (PNR) from Caloocan to Buendia in Makati, to connect the North and South Luzon expressways. The Cala-Ex project was brought down to P35.5 billion from P43.4 billion after adjustments and tweaks, said Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang. Meanwhile, a P1.03-billion dam project in Pasa river in Isabela to aid in adapting to climate change was also approved unconditionally. Also approved was the Proposed Change in Scope of Second Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resources Management Project (CHARMP II), a project worth P2.9-billion. Finally, a continuation of an anti-poverty project of the Department of Social Work and Development  was also approved. The P81.9-billion continuation of the Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Service (Kalahi-Cidss) will commence this year and will last until 2018. Carandang announced the approval of the projects after a NEDA Board meeting called by President Benigno Aquino III, who chairs the board. In total, the projects cost about P146.9 billion. All were approved unconditionally, Carandang said. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News