ICC approves P28.7-B projects

The inter-agency Cabinet-level Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) recently approved seven infrastructure projects worth P28.7 billion that are expected to further boost economic development and improve living conditions.

Getting the lion’s share is the Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project worth P10.8 billion.

The project aims to irrigate 70,800 hectares and increase production in Pangasinan and Tarlac.

The ICC said the project is also expected to increase per capita income, upgrade the living standards of the populace and generate employment opportunities in the region.

The project includes the repair of the existing San Roque diversion weir and intake; the construction of the re-regulating pond with a capacity of 4.6 million cubic meters; construction of a canal at the right bank of the Agno River to supply existing service areas of Agno River that will link the main canal of lower Agno River Irrigation System.

Another project, the Laguindingan Airport Development Project worth P5.38 billion, involves the construction of a new international-standard airport to replace the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro and the Balo-I Airport in Iligan.

Three road projects of the DPWH Road Projects worth P4.79 billion were likewise approved by the ICC. These are the Palawan South Road Project: Tourism Roads: Mabini Circumferencial Road Project; and Upgrading of the Inter-Urban Highway System Project Phase I.

The Palawan South Road Project worth P1.07 billion aims to make a more efficient road network that would provide the less developed communities access to the mainstream of socioeconomic development.

The Mabini Circumferencial Road Project worth P316.3 million aims to link the 11 barangays in the municipality of Mabini and serves as the main access of the interior barangays to alternative markets in the town centers and assure farmers of higher returns from their agricultural produce.

The Upgrading of Inter-Urban Highway System, worth P3.37 billion involves the construction of two-lane, 6.6 km bypass road in Plaridel as well as a 2,020-km. Interchange.

The Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, Phase I, worth P4.52 billion aims to alleviate the living and sanitary conditions in Metro Manila due to massive flooding caused by the overflowing of the Pasig-Marikina River.

The project will lessen the overflowing of Pasig River at times of heavy discharge by increasing the conveyance capacity of the river by raising the riverbank elevations.

Lastly, the Valenzuela-Obando-Meycauayan (VOM) Area Drainage System Improvement and Related Works Project worth P3.24 billion aims to mitigate flood damages by flood control and drainage improvement works resulting in improving the living conditions and enhancing economic activities in the area.