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THE
National Economic and Development Authority (Neda)
Investment Coordination Committee (ICC)-Cabinet
Committee (CC) has approved more than P30 billion-worth
of new infrastructure projects.
The bulk
of the amount of the new projects were concentrated on
the P17.19-billion Tarlac-La Union Toll Expressway
project Phase I which will connect with the
Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway stringing Tarlac,
Pangasinan and La Union.
“The
project is envisaged to support the future increase in
socio-economic activities between Regions I, III, CAR,
and Metro Manila and promote a wider dispersal of
investments in the areas connected by the proposed toll
road,” the ICC-CC said.
Of the
total project cost, P13.49 billion will be financed by
the private sector while P3.7 billion will be shouldered
by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The toll
road will be constructed from 2008 to 2012 and will be
operated by the private sector upon completion.
Meanwhile, also approved were several projects under
Transco such as the P1.94-billion Concepcion-Clark
230-kV Transmission Line Project, the P2.12-billion
Luzon Substation Expansion Project I, and the
P1.62-billiion Aurora-Polanco 138-kV Transmission
Project.
The
Concepcion-Clark transmission line aims to address
frequent power interruptions and voltage fluctuations in
the area as well as cater to the growing power demand in
the industrial zone.
The
project, which will be implemented in two stages, has an
economic life of 30 years. Stage 1 of the project is
expected to be completed by April 2008 and Stage 2 by
May 2009.
The
Luzon Substation Expansion will involve the installation
of several additional transformers to increase the
operational capabilities of nine substations in Regions
I, III, IV-A and V to ensure sufficient and reliable
delivery of power to load centers.
The
substation expansion is scheduled to begin in November
2008 and is expected to be completed by October 2009.
The
Aurora-Polanco transmission project involves the
installation of a 79-kilometer transmission line from
the
Aurora
substation to the proposed Polanco substation.
Transco
targets construction to begin in December this year and
be completed in July 2009. The project is expected to
have an economic life of 30 years.
Meanwhile, projects under the DPWH were also approved
such as the P3.18-billion Spanish-assisted Bridge
Construction/Replacement project and the P1.61-billion
Australian-assisted Bridge Acceleration Project for
Calamity Areas.
The
Bridge Construction/Replacement project involves the
nationwide replacement and construction of 96 bridges
consisting of 83 for replacement and 13 for new
construction nationwide.
The
project is expected to take five years to implement and
targeted to be completed in December 2011.
The
Bridge Acceleration Project involves the replacement of
16 typhoon-damaged and weakened permanent and temporary
bridges in Regions 1, 3, 4-A, 4-B, 5, 6, and 7.
The Neda
ICC-CC also approved the P2.77-billion establishment of
a Women’s Medical Center and upgrading of the National
Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and the
P5.75-billion reappraisal of the Angat Water and
Aqueduct Improvement Project of the Metropolitan
Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
The NKTI
project will involve the construction of a seven-story
building to house a 350 to 500-bed Women’s Medical
Center, a three-story diagnostic radiology center,
additional 50 beds and renovation of the NKTI, and
acquisition of medical equipment and expansion of
existing areas. |
