NEDA board approves P28B bridges project

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The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Marcos Jr., on Thursday approved the P28.2- billion “Pang-Agraryong Tulay Para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka” (PBBM Bridges Project) of the Department of Agrarian Reform which involves the construction of 350 steel bridges around the country.

NEDA Chief and Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, in a briefing after the 11th NEDA Board meeting in Malacanang, said the board also approved the revised parameters terms and conditions (PTCS) of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Extension Project which involves the construction of 59.4-kilometer toll road from Rosario to San Juan both in La Union.

Balisacan said the bridges will enhance access and connectivity for agrarian reform communities as they would be located in agricultural areas to help speed up and ensure the smooth delivery of agricultural products to the markets.

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He said the bridge project also aims to help “improve the quality of life in rural areas…increase the productivity and income of at least 350,000 households.”

“The ease of mobility and access to and from the agrarian reform communities will generate more employment and address the communities’ need for better access to social services and market outlets for their agricultural products,” he added.

Balisacan said the NEDA board also approved the negotiated PTCs between the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and granted original proponent status to the unsolicited TPLEX Extension Project, the San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC).

With the approval, DPWH can now proceed with the publication of the invitation for comparative proposals in accordance with the Revised 2022 Build-Operate-Transfer Law Implementing Rules and Regulations, as well as the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) Guidelines on Processing public-private partnership (PPP) proposals.

The project will be awarded to the original proponent by March 2024 unless there are challengers which would then move the awarding to May 2024.

The TPLEX extension, which involves a 59.4- kilometer toll road from Rosario to San Juan in La Union, is expected to be completed within five years from the signing of the contract.

It was approved in June this year and is expected to stimulate economic activity, alleviate road congestion, provide better and safer road access, and promote the development of new growth centers in nearby regions.

It also aims to provide an additional expressway which will interconnect the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Metro Manila. It is expected to stimulate economic activity, mitigate road congestion, as well as provide better and safer road access going to the Ilocos Region.

Flagship projects update

During the Board meeting, NEDA also reported that one of the 197 infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) under the Build-Better-More (BBM) Program has been completed, while 71 are currently ongoing projects and 29 projects have already been approved for implementation, Balisacan said.

He said nine projects are also awaiting government approval, 52 projects in the project preparation phase, and 35 projects in the pre-project preparation phase as of the third quarter of 2023.

Balisacan said the completed project is the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project by the Department of Public Works and Highways, which involved an 18.65-kilometer circumferential road that links the towns of Laoang, Catubig, and Palapag.

He said the new road is expected to enhance economic activity in the region by improving the delivery and movement of essential goods and services and creating more job opportunities.

“The Marcos administration remains steadfast in its dedication to enhancing connectivity, ramping up employment-creating investments, and significantly improving living standards for every Filipino by ensuring the efficient implementation of these high-impact projects.

We will continue with our commitment to pursue important initiatives to ensure social and economic transformation towards a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay para sa lahat,” he said.

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