The Aquino Administration said it will prioritize the implementation of “game-changing” and “strategic” infrastructure projects in the next 18 months or before changes in government leadership take place.
This developed following a meeting of Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. During the meeting, the four Cabinet officials agreed to identify and set the list of the Aquino Administration’s priority infrastructure projects.
“Basically, we need to come up with our final last push for the last 18 months and where will we take infrastructure beyond us,” Abaya told reporters about the meeting.
Abaya and Singson are supposed to submit the list of priority projects of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) will then consolidate the list and decide on which projects are game-changing and strategic together with the Department of Finance (DOF).
For his part, Abaya claimed that all projects under the DOTC are game-changers and should be prioritized.
“We’ve mentioned everything (under DOTC) because even the operation and maintenance of Manila airport could be a game changer if you allow private sector like Changi or Incheon operating the whole NAIA complex. That in itself can be a game changer,” he said.
Abaya mentioned DOTC’s priority list that include all rail projects, especially the Philippine National Railways’ Integrated Luzon Railway and North-South Commuter Rail projects and the two subways planned in Metro Manila. All airport projects were also included, especially the new international gateway planned in Sangley Point, Cavite.
By prioritizing key infrastructure projects, Abaya said the Aquino Administration hopes to implement projects that will have more impact to the society.
“The plan is to carry connectivity, access and transportation even beyond this administration. These will be key strategic game changing infrastructure projects. Hopefully these will solve the headaches, woes and congestions of today,” he stressed out.
The list of priority projects will be finalized early next year and Abaya said it will be a noteworthy resource for the next administration.
“Hopefully, the next administration and whoever will replace us will continue these projects and see that these were crafted based on merits, without agenda or political interest. (This list of priority projects) will help them hit the ground running because from Day 1, they have plans laid out with the best interest of the people in mind,” he added.
It is not clear how many projects are still pending for awarding and implementation under the DOTC but the agency is the implementing agency of at least 25 projects currently in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) pipeline.
To date, the DOTC has successfully bid out three out of the eight PPP projects awarded by the Aquino Administration.
source: Manila Bulletin
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