NEDA approves PCG’s P29B MRRV project

The National Economic and Development Authority Board approved Phase 3 of the Philippine Coast Guard's Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Thursday.

In a Malacañang Press Briefing, Balisacan said the project worth P29.3 billion will involve designing, constructing, and delivering five units of multi-role response vessels or MRRVs, each with a length of 97 meters.

Balisacan said the project, with a five-year integrated logistics support, will help further improve the PCG's capability to respond to threats and incidents within the country's maritime jurisdiction, particularly by enabling it to secure important sea lines of communication in the West Philippine Sea, Sulu-Celebes Seas, and the Philippine Sea.

He pointed out that the project will help the PCG combat illegal activities and enforce maritime laws in the Philippine waters, adding that the vessels could be employed for resupply operations.

"These are the kind of vessels that can navigate for example rough seas, for the delivery of supplies in those areas," Balisacan said.

However, Balisacan clarified that the ships would be used to improve the PCG's communication capabilities rather than by the military.

"This is for the Coast Guard, not for military purposes…. but the wiring of communications, enhancing of communication systems, addressing threats to our people, especially fishermen," Balisacan said.

"Basically, also for emergencies if there are typhoons, assist people threatened by disasters," he added.

Balisacan added that the NEDA Board approved the Department of Public Works and Highways to proceed with the Swiss challenge for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Extension Project.

The Board also accepted the terms, conditions, and specifications of the TPLEX Extension Project that were negotiated between the Original Proponent, San Miguel Holdings Corporation, and the Government Negotiation Team.

"Following this approval, the DPWH 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 (Investment Coordination Committee) Guidelines on Processing PPP proposals," Balisacan said.