NEDA committee approves subway extension to NAIA

MANILA -- The National Economic and Development Authority's (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC) approved on Tuesday the extension of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP)-Phase 1  from Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) in Taguig City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and its increased cost from PHP227 billion to PHP355.6 billion.

MMSP, the country’s first subway system from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to the airport in Paranaque City is subject to final approval by the NEDA Board, which is headed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The MMSP I also involves the construction of a 28-hectare training center and depot, as well as and other related facilities.  Implementation period is from 2018 to mid-2025.

“The first phase of the MMSP will not only ease traffic in Metro Manila but also improve the quality of life of Filipinos. For one, carbon emissions will be reduced. And, with greater mobility, people can spend more time on things that matter to them,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said.

Apart from the subway system, the ICC-CC also approved two other projects, which include the adoption of Build-Transfer (BT) scheme for the construction of the Clark International Airport facility and the Lower Agno River Irrigation System Improvement Project (LARISIP).

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) proposed the implementation of the BT scheme under the amended Build Operate Transfer (BOT) Law for the construction of a terminal building with a design capacity of eight million passengers yearly.

The Clark airport expansion project has an estimated total cost of PHP15.35 billion.

Meanwhile, the PHP3.5 billion LARISIP covers the development of new service area and rehabilitation of the irrigation system.

At least 10,000 farmers will benefit from free irrigation which is expected to increase their income. The project is expected to begin in January 2018 and end by December 2021.

 “We want to improve our farmers’ quality of life by providing them access to irrigation and financing. This will increase their productivity, output, and income,” added Pernia, also NEDA Director-General. (PNA)