44 foreign-assisted projects face delays
MANILA, Philippines — Around 44 infrastructure projects funded through official development assistance (ODA) are delayed, according to data from the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev).
These delays come as the country’s total ODA portfolio grew by 6% in 2024, rising from $37.3 billion in 2023 to $39.6 billion.
This has been spread across 426 loans and grants.
Data from the DEPDev released on Thursday, July 31, listed several projects that have raised concerns. Many of these projects are in the transportation sector.
Transport and connectivity accounted for most of the ODA portfolio in 2024, which took up 62.7% of the assistance, spread across 120 loans and grants.
A total of 40 loan projects are listed as “at-risk” and critical, with 39 of them being dubbed “behind schedule” as of 2024.
Several high-profile infrastructure projects under these 39 items include the following:
- Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project (with the World Bank, France)
- Maritime Safety Enhancement Project (with the Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund)
- Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I (with the Japan International Cooperation Agency)
- North-South Commuter Railway System Project (with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank)
- Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (with the Asian Development Bank)
- Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase I (with the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank)
Meanwhile, one grant project was listed as at risk and critical. The Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Project, including Bucana Bridge, a project in partnership with China, is also behind schedule.
Two more delayed and at-risk projects were listed under early warning status: the Teacher Effectiveness and Competencies Enhancement Project (TEACEP) and the Rural Agro-Enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development (RAPID) and Growth.
The TEACEP was a loan from the World Bank while the RAPID was done in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Another delayed project on loan with the Japan International Cooperation Agency is the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard Phase III, which has been raised by the DEPDev “for attention”.
Part of the said maritime enhancement program is the acquisition of Multi-Role Response Vessels for the Coast Guard.
One delayed grant project funded by the European Union is the Green Economy Programme in the Philippines.
The ODA reported the need for lead agencies to advance early-stage project readiness and make sure that there’s timely budgetary support.
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