Neda approves 2 new LRT lines, airport dev’t projects

In a bid to improve the country’s deteriorating infrastructure and mass transport system, the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) approved two new Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects and two airport development projects in its board meeting which lasted for more than eight hours on Friday.

Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said the Neda board approved the creation of the P64.71-billion LRT Line 6, which will run from the LRT Line 1 extension in Bacoor going southward through Imus and up to Dasmariñas in Cavite.

READ: Neda board approves LRT extension, P63.6B worth of infrastructure

“This will pass through a heavily populated area and present travel of up to one and a half hours is expected to be reduced drastically. This will be a public-private partnership (PPP) project,” Coloma said over state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

The 11-kilometer LRT Line 4, meanwhile, will be built from Edsa Ortigas to Taytay City in Rizal to “further expand the mass transport system for the metropolis.” Coloma said the project, which will be financed through a PPP arrangement, will cost around P42.89 billion.

Aside from new LRT lines, Coloma said the Neda board also approved the P3.533-billion Naga airport development project, which will be financed through the General Appropriations Act.

“The airfield will be reoriented to enable dual-approach landing and takeoff and new airside and landside facilities will be established to meet the growing tourism demand,” Coloma said.

After Neda’s nod, the Clark International Airport in Pampanga is also set to have a new passenger terminal building which will cost P15.354 billion to meet the airport’s expansion demands. Coloma said the project will cover installation of new equipment, machineries, and facilities.

READ: Neda seeks go-ahead for Clark terminal project

The Neda board also approved the Department of Energy’s Access to Sustainable Energy Program, which will “grant assistance for solar home systems and rural power generation facilities, as well as technical assistance to the National Electrification Administration and the Energy Regulatory Commission, and electric cooperatives.”

“Focal point for capacity building is the development of pro-poor, disaster-resilient solutions. Total project cost is P4.891-billion, including official development assistance from the European Union in the amount of P2.82-billion. The balance will be funded from the national budget,” Coloma added.

Coloma said the board also discussed a proposed bus rapid transit from Manila to Quezon Avenue in Quezon City and Metro Rail Transit-7 from Commonwealth Avenue to San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/IDL