NEDA Board OKs civil service modernization, bridges modification projects

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has approved the civil service modernization project as well as the modification on cost and extension of implementation period and loan validity for bridges in Metro Manila. 

According to Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, among those approved during the 20th NEDA Board meeting was the P3.8 billion Philippine Civil Service Modernization Project under the Civil Service Commission (CSC). 

Balisacan said the project is a vital initiative for the development of human resource management processes in the public sector.

“It’s quite an important project for the development of human resource management processes in the public sector,” Balisacan said in a news release issued Thursday. 

The project will be implemented from 2025 to 2029, according to the NEDA chief. 

Further, the NEDA Board, headed by President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr., also gave the green light on the request for the increase in cost and extension of the implementation period and loan validity for the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project (MMPBSIP). 

Balisacan said this would improve the safety and resilience of two bridges in the National Capital Region.

The MMPBSIP aims to strengthen the seismic resilience of Metro Manila’s transport network by replacing, retrofitting, and strengthening the Guadalupe Bridge and the Lambingan Bridge.

The total project cost for the MMPBSIP will be increased by P2.41 billion or 30.33% from P7.93 billion to P10.34 billion.

Balisacan said that the NEDA Board also approved the inclusion of the Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Board to ensure that “the administration’s priorities in agriculture and food security, as well as education—particularly the development of skills for a competitive economy—are properly addressed.”

Balisacan added that there was also confirmation of “ad referendum” decisions on the upgrade, expansion, operation, and maintenance of both the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and the Laguindingan International Airport.

“We also reported on the progress in the implementation of the 186 infrastructure flagship projects and also how those relate to earlier reported problematic ODA (official development assistance) projects,” said the NEDA chief.

This was included in the 2024 Second Quarter Progress Report on the Infrastructure Flagship Projects under the Build-Better-More Program, he said. —Anna Felicia Bajo and Ted Cordero/KBK/VBL, GMA Integrated News