Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 9) — The policy-making National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board on Thursday greenlit the revised terms and conditions of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) Extension Project.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the TPLEX extension is among three high-impact projects approved by the board, chaired by the president, in its 11th meeting.
The 59.4-kilometer extension will begin from the current TPLEX end point in Rosario, La Union to the seaside town of San Juan, a popular tourist destination in the same province. TPLEX is operated by San Miguel Corporation.
“Following this approval, the Department of Public Works and Highways will proceed with the publication of the invitation for comparative proposals in accordance with the Revised 2022 Build-Operate-Transfer Law Implementing Rules and Regulations, as well as the ICC Guidelines on Processing PPP proposals,” Balisacan said in a briefing. The Cabinet-level Investment Coordination Committee evaluates major projects, including public-private partnerships, and recommends these for NEDA Board approval
The Board also approved the ₱28.2-billion Pang-Agraryong Tulay Para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka or the bridges project of the Department of Agrarian Reform.
Balisacan said the 350 modular steel bridges “aim to increase the productivity and income of at least 350,000 households.”
“The ease of mobility and access to and from the agrarian reform communities will generate more employment and address the communities’ need for better access to social services and market outlets for their agricultural products,” he added.
The Board also approved the third phase of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) maritime safety capability improvement project, which costs ₱29.3 billion and to be financed through an official development assistance loan from Japan.
Under the project, five units of the multi-role response vessels from Japan are expected to be delivered between 2027 to 2028. These can also be used for resupply missions, Balisacan said.
“In particular, the project will enable the coast guard to secure important sea lines of communication in the West Philippine Sea, Sulu and Celebes Seas, and the Philippine Sea,” he added. “It will also help the PCG combat illegal activities and enforce maritime laws in the Philippine waters.”
READ: Japan to give PCG 5 ships
Infrastructure flagship projects
The NEDA chief also said the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, which is among the 197 infrastructure flagship projects, has been completed.
The 18.65-kilometer road project connects the towns of Laoang, Catubig, and Palapag in Samar Island.
