Gov't OKs P6.6-B anti-flood projects

MANILA, Philippines – The government will spend about P6.6 billion this year on projects aimed at boosting its defenses against deadly floods, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said yesterday.

The NEDA Board approved yesterday 11 projects worth P67 billion, including the expansion of the Light Railway Transit 2 and the construction of new airports.

The approval of the flood control projects follows last month’s heavy rains, which submerged large areas of Luzon including about 80 percent of Metro Manila, killing at least 99 people and forcing about half a million people to flee their homes.

The NEDA said the amount will be used to build and strengthen dikes, dredge rivers, as well as buy pumps to ensure a flood-free Metro Manila.

“This will... finance immediate high-impact flood control interventions,” the agency said in a statement.

The August floods were the worst in the capital since September 2009, when

extensive flooding from tropical storm “Ondoy” killed more than 400 people.

The agency added another P19.49 billion would be spent this year to build 199 steel bridges, including 66 in flood- and typhoon-hit areas of the country.

The bridge project is partly funded by development aid from Austria, Britain, Germany and Spain, it added.

President Aquino serves as chairman of the NEDA board while NEDA Director General Arsenio Balisacan serves as vice chairman.

Outgoing Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas presented the projects to the President and to the rest of the board.

Roxas’ successor, Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, was present to familiarize himself with the job.

Aquino has appointed Roxas as interior and local government secretary.

The largest in terms of project cost is the LRT-2 extension, with a project cost of P9.759 billion.

The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 capacity-expansion project has a project cost of P8.63 billion, which involves the acquisition of additional 52 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) and the implementation of required ancillary works, to enable operating the MRT 3 system at a 4-car train configuration.

Third largest in terms of project cost is the National Roads Bridge Placement Project (NRBRP) with a project cost of P8.4 billion.

The New Bohol (Panglao) airport construction project would cost P7.44 billion.

The P4.799-billion Bicol International Airport project involves construction of a new domestic airport facility of international standards in Daraga, Albay. The airport will replace the existing Legazpi Airport due to the latter’s limitations and safety concerns.

The strengthening of Angat dam and dike project reflects a project cost of P5.72 billion, that likewise includes the rehabilitation of the 44-year-old Angat Dam and embankment structures. The dam provides 97 percent of water requirements of Metro Manila and generates 246 megawatts of power.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao Roads Improvement Project (MRIP)-Change in Scope, Increase in Cost and Implementation Extension with a project cost of P3.91 billion plus an additional P1.71 billion, also involves the upgrading of the Cotabato City East Diversion Road from gravel to concrete cement, increase of total bridge length. The change in scope is worth P1.71 billion, bringing the total project cost to P3.91 billion.

The implementation period will be moved from Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2014. In terms of financing, the project is partly funded by the Saudi Fund for Development and DPWH’s budget.

The board also approved the change of financing scheme of internally generated funds of PSALM and on lending by the national government. No change of earlier approved cost worth P2.6 billion.