NEDA approves Davao’s P58B airport, seaport improvement projects

DAVAO CITY, Oct. 23 (PIA) – The National Economic and Development Authority Board has approved Davao City local government’s project proposals worth P58 billion, specifically for the improvement of the Davao International Airport or the Bangoy Francisco Operations, Maintenance and Development project and the modernization of the Sasa Port.

NEDA-11 regional director Ma. Lourdes D. Lim said that the projects are pending preparations of the tender documents at NEDA’s Public-Private-Partnership Center to solicit proponents from the private sector, since the projects are under the PPP scheme.

“Once the tender documents are prepared, then it can be published for submission of bids,” Lim said in an interview during the roadshow activity of the Davao Regional Development Council concerning the Updated Regional Development Plan (URDP) for 2014-2016.

She said the DIA improvement and Sasa port modernization projects, worth P18 billion and P40 billion, respectively, are the two major infrastructure projects allocated for Davao City as incorporated in the URDP.

The other proposed projects under NEDA’s Programs, Activities and Projects (PAPs) for 2016 are the rehabilitation and improvement of the Malagamot road worth P50 million; the Mindanao International Airport Feasibility study worth P5 million; and improvement of ferry facilities from Sasa to the Island Garden City of Samal worth P100 million.

The priority projects listed under the Davao City LGU Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan (LPRAP) that are intended to reduce poverty incidence, especially in the countryside, have reached to a proposed funding of P50 million.

The projects include the hiring of doctors, nurses and midwives under the Department of Health’s Human Resource Deployment Program for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs); community health teams mobilization in poor barangays in GIDAs; and capability building for doctors, nurses and midwives, and many others.

“The project proposals will be put forward to concerned national government agencies so these will be aligned to their respective 2016 budget proposals,” Lim stated, adding that the 2015 national expenditure program has already been submitted to the Congress for approval.

The priority projects of Davao City which are integrated in Davao Region’s URDP 2014-2016 , have been presented during the first leg of the second round of RDC-11’s roadshows that aim to widen the understanding and appreciation on the plan by the region’s stakeholders and development partners.
In a message read by Director Lim, RDC-11 chair and Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario emphasized the importance of holding the roadshow in Davao City being considered “the premier city and regional center not only of Region XI, but also of the whole of Mindanao.”

“Likewise, Davao City is the center of education, science, health, tourism and livelihood activities in this part of the country and the seat of government regional offices and of major private and commercial institutions,” del Rosario stated.

“Thus, given Davao City’s crucial role in socioeconomic development, strategic infrastructure and development projects have been earmarked to enhance the City’s capacity as Mindanao’s metropolitan growth center,” the governor added.

Lim said the second leg of the URDP roadshow this year is planned to be conducted in Davao Oriental on November 28.
She added that Del Rosario already confirmed that the roadshow for Davao del Norte will be held on December 5, this year. (PIA-11/Carina L. Cayon)