Neda OKs high-impact projects, plans for roads, health agenda, tariff rates

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board gave the green light to four high-impact plans and projects, said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan in a Palace briefing on Thursday.

According to Balisacan, the projects were approved by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who also chairs the Neda board, during a meeting held on the same day.

Below is the list of projects that Neda gave the nod to:

• The P67.4 billion Dalton Pass East Alignment Road Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways
• Extension of Executive Order No. 10, which reduces the Most Favored Nation tariff rates for meat, rice, and corn until December 31, 2024
• The second phase of the Master Plan for High-Standard Highway Network Development
• The Department of Health’s 8-point action agenda

Furthermore, Balisacan also gave updates on previously approved public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

He reported that the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Cancer Center PPP Project is currently under procurement per the Build-Operate-Transfer law.

Meanwhile, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Extension Project is currently undergoing a Swiss challenge and may be awarded in March should there be no challenge, or in May if there is a challenger.

Moreover, the contract for the upgrade, expansion, and maintenance of the Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental is expected to take place between May 2024 and February 2025, he said.

The bidding for the Dialysis Center PPP Project for the Renal Center Facility of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center is expected to commence before year-end, he further said.

The contract awarding for the upgrade, expansion, operation, and maintenance of Bohol-Panglao International Airport is also set between August 2024 and May 2025.

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