The interagency Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) Cabinet Committee (Cabcom) has approved P56.48 billion worth of projects, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
In a news statement, the Neda said the cost covered four new projects, the largest of which is the P33.097 billion Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP) Phase 4.
The project will be funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and to be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Executed by the DPWH, that will put in place flood-management infrastructure [i.e., dikes, revetments, floodgates] along the 8-kilometer [km] stretch of the Lower/Middle Marikina River, and the construction of the Marikina Control Gate Structure,” the Neda said.
Other projects approved by Neda are the P13.42-billion Road Network Development Project (RNDP) in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao; P6.52-billion Rehabilitation and Development Plan (RDP) for a Greater Marawi—Stage 2; and P3.45- billion Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program (BMCRRP).
The RNDP in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao aims to construct, rehabilitate and improve the 178.43-km road network in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and its neighboring regions.
The Neda said the DPWH aims to complete the project by 2024 through official development assistance (ODA) from Jica.
The RDP, meanwhile, will be completed by 2022. It has two primary components. the construction of two-lane Marawi Transcendental Road, Phase 3 (23.90 km) and the construction of two-lane Malabang Viaduct (1.6 km).
“The RDP for Greater Marawi provides a viable solution for the rebuilding of Marawi City by fully utilizing the capability of various infrastructure projects as catalysts of redevelopment,” the Neda said.
The other project that was approved was the P3.45-billion BMCRRP.
The five subprojects under the BMCRRP are the construction of a Main Outlet Drainage System; rehabilitation/improvement of Beyaba Damag Open Channel; and construction of Slope Protection Works along Marawi-Bito Road.
The subprojects of the BMCRRP also include the construction of Main Drainage Outlet Bangon-Luksadatu Lake Lanao, Phase II and the construction of Permanent Rorogagus Bridge.
“These include programs and projects in land-resource management, social services, physical infrastructure, livelihood and business development implemented by the national government or is in support of local government-implemented projects, and the construction of classrooms for permanent resettlement sites, in view of land-related issues arising from the Marawi siege,” the Neda said.
Meanwhile, the ICC-Cabcom also approved an increase in cost for the third phase of Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP).
The ICC-Cabcom approved the increase in cost for the project to P9.03 billion, from the initial estimate of P7.55 billion, due to necessary additional civil works, including dredging works, to implement the project.
The project covers the 5.4-km stretch of the Lower Marikina River, as well as the 9.9-km remaining sections between the Delpan Bridge and Napindan Channel covered under the second phase of the PMRCIP.
The ICC-Cabcom also approved in principle the New Clark City High Performance Gymnasium and Sports Museum Project of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.
The project will cost an approximate P1.6 billion and will be funded through a grant from the People’s Republic of China.
The project will feature five floors of indoor and outdoor facilities for sports medicine and sports science that will complement the internationally certified sports facilities built at the Phase 1 of the National Government Administrative Center.