The NEDA Board Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) approved on 27 July improvements amounting to P13.5 billion for three regional projects, further strengthening the government’s commitment to regional growth.

Changes in scope and cost were discussed for the Davao City Bypass Construction Project; Panguil Bay Bridge Project and Flood Risk Management Project in Cagayan River, Tagoloan River and Imus River.

Of the regions involved, three (Regions XI, II, CALABARZON) posted Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rates last year of 10.9 percent, 7.2 percent, 6.7 percent, respectively. These are higher than the National Capital Region’s 6.1 percent.

The said regions aim to achieve GRDP growth rates of 10.5 to 11.5 (Region XI), 6.5 to 7.5 (Region II) and 6.0 to 7.3 (CALABARZON) by 2022.

“The ICC and the whole of government is steadfast in sustaining these regions’ growth momentum. These improvements in the projects reflect this commitment,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, co-chairman of the ICC.

Pernia added that regional projects provide interconnectivity and facilitate the exchange of goods and services, apart from movement of people. The Panguil Bay Bridge Project specifically will boost growth in Regions IX, X and XII.

Meanwhile, the ICC urged the Department of Transportation to fast-track the implementation of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT), which forms part of the Metro Cebu Intermodal and Integrated Transport System (MCIITS), to achieve interoperability by June 2021.

The MCIITS, which will include the CBRT, a sky train project, intelligent transport systems, light rail transit and a greenways project, encompasses the package of solutions to address congestion and transport problems in Metro Cebu.

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