Neda approves 3 high-impact projects

FILE PHOTO: Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. INQUIRER FILES

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) on Thursday approved three high-impact projects, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

Balisacan said at a Palace briefing that the Neda board, which President Marcos chairs, has given the greenlight to the Department of Public Works and Highways to proceed with the Swiss challenge for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) Extension Project.

He said the board also approved the P29.3-billion Phase 3 of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which would involve the design, construction and delivery of five units of multirole response vessels or MRRVs, each with a length of 97 meters.

Balisacan said the project would further improve the PCG’s capability to respond to threats and incidents within the country’s maritime jurisdiction by enabling it to secure important sea lines of communication in the West Philippine Sea, Sulu-Celebes Seas and the Philippine Sea.

He added that the Neda board also approved P28.2 billion Pang-Agraryong Tulay Para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka or PBBM Bridges Project of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

The project aims to construct 350 modular steel bridges with an estimated length of 10,500 linear meters to enhance access and connectivity for agrarian reform communities.

This will be financed through Japan’s Official Development Assistance loan.

The board also approved the negotiated parameters, terms, and conditions of the TPLEx Extension Project between the Government Negotiation Team and San Miguel Holdings Corporation, the original proponent.