ICC OKs P13.5b improvements in regional projects

August 6, 2018

The NEDA Board Investment Coordination Committee - Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) approved on July 27 improvements amounting to P13.5 billion for three regional projects, strengthening the government’s commitment to regional growth.

Changes in scope and cost were discussed for the Davao City Bypass Construction Project; Panguil Bay Bridge Project; and Flood Risk Management Project in Cagayan River, Tagoloan River, and Imus River.

Of the regions involved, three (Davao Region XI, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon) posted gross regional domestic product  growth rates last year of 10.9 percent, 7.2 percent, 6.7 percent, respectively. These are higher than the National Capital Region’s 6.1 percent.

The regions aim to achieve growth rates of 10.5 to 11.5 (Davao Region), 6.5 to 7.5 (Cagayan Valley), and 6.0 to 7.3 (Calabarzon) by 2022.

“The ICC and the whole of government is steadfast in sustaining these regions’ growth momentum. These improvements in the projects reflect this commitment,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, co-chair of the ICC.

Pernia added that regional projects provide interconnectivity and facilitate exchange of goods and services, besides people. The Panguil Bay Bridge Project will boost growth in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region.

The ICC urged the Department of Transportation to fast-track the implementation of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT), which forms part of the Metro Cebu Intermodal and Integrated Transport System (MCIITS), to achieve interoperability by June 2021.

The MCIITS, which will include the CBRT, a skytrain project, intelligent transport systems, light rail transit, and a greenways project, among others, encompasses the package of solutions to address congestion and transport problems in Metro Cebu. DMS