NEDA board approves P269.7 billion high-impact projects

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board, chaired by President Marcos, approved on Friday a number of high-impact projects amounting to about P269.7 billion.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said among the projects approved are the upgrade, expansion, operations and maintenance of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and the Dialysis Center Project of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center under the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.

The P4.5-billion Bohol-Panglao International Airport project is an unsolicited PPP project that aims to increase passenger capacity and improve passenger experience at the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, according to Balisacan.

He said the approved expansion project would increase Bohol international airport’s maximum passenger capacity from 2.5 million per year at start of project up to 3.9 million by the end.

“Expect this project to boost tourism and as a result, generate more high-quality jobs,” Balisacan said at a Palace briefing.

Meanwhile, the P392-million renal center facility at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center will address the need for more accessible and affordable hemodialysis treatment in the country, the NEDA chief said.

At present, the Baguio General Hospital only has 30 machines, all of which are working at full capacity.

“This solicited PPP project will increase the number of active hemodialysis machines to 108 by 2029, this will enable the Baguio General Hospital to provide more affordable dialysis treatment to a greater number of chronic kidney disease patients,” Balisacan said.

The NEDA board also allowed the implementation of new official development assistance or ODA programs that will augment the country’s green economy initiatives and help speed up infrastructure projects, Balisacan noted.

These include the P13.08-billion Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility-Second Additional Financing to help agencies like the Departments of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Transportation (DOTr) improve their conduct of feasibility studies, engineering design and other project preparation activities.

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