At least seven major infrastructure projects estimated P270 billion have been approved by President Duterte in a bid to improve the country’s road networks as well as promote the agriculture and tourism sectors.
The President also endorsed the new government guidelines that will screen and process investment projects to be funded by China in the country.
The latest batch of infrastructure programs and investment policies were tackled during the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board meeting convened by the President in Malacañang last Monday as the government moves to ramp up infrastructure spending to spur economic growth in the coming years.
Among the big-ticket projects are North-South Railway Project (NSRP)-South Line, New Nayong Pilipino at the Entertainment City, New Cebu International Port, and the Expansion of the Philippine Rural Development Project.
Also approved were Scaling-Up of the Second Cordillera Highlands Agricultural Resources Management Project; Improvement/ Widening of General Luis Road (Quezon City to Valenzuela City) Project; and Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project, Stage 2.
NEDA director general Ernesto Pernia recently appealed to the public to brace for some inconvenience as a result of the implementation of these major infrastructure projects.
Pernia said the government would implement 24/7 operations to complete these infrastructure projects within the President’s term. He said many jobs are also expected to be created from the massive construction of the projects.
“This Duterte administration will be a Golden Age for Infrastructure, building them 24/7. The thing is we really have to catch up with our neighbors,” Pernia said in a recent Palace press briefing.
Meantime, the Investment Coordination Committee guidelines on processing China-assisted projects were also approved during the NEDA board meeting.
The President earlier tapped the ICC to be the lead agency in screening Chinese companies interested in investing in the country to prevent any irregularities. (AARON RECUENCO)