The country's infrastructure flagship projects (IFP) total costs now reached more than P9 trillion after the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board added 23 new projects and delisted 36 others.

Data released by NEDA showed that its board, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., reduced the number of IFPs from 198 projects worth over P8 trillion to 185 projects with a total value of P9.14 trillion.

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, also serving as the Vice Chair of the NEDA Board, stressed that the latest decision is geared towards giving priority to important projects, ensuring they get the required backing for swift and effective execution.

“Our list of IFPs under the Build-Better-More Program serves as a prioritization tool to identify high-impact infrastructure projects that require immediate government support. By rationalizing the list, we ensure the implementation of as many important infrastructure projects of high significance as possible,” Balisacan said.

However, Balisacan clarified that certain projects removed from the list will still proceed as planned as they were already part of the regular government programs.

As of the fourth quarter of 2023, 74 IFPs were already being implemented, 30 had been approved for implementation, 10 were awaiting government approval, and 83 were undergoing either project or pre-project preparation.

In 2023, one project on the IFP list, the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, was completed on 30 June and inaugurated on 14 July.

Among the 74 ongoing projects, 19 are scheduled to be completed this year.

“We will continue to monitor, review, and update the list of IFPs as necessary to prioritize the most important infrastructure projects. The NEDA Board is committed to approving measures needed to expedite the implementation of the Build-Better-More Program,” stated the government’s chief economic planner.

The NEDA Board also approved changes in the scope of the Davao City Bypass Construction Project. This decision came after reassessing the overall cost of the project, considering its expanded scope and the new post-pandemic market conditions. Consequently, the Board approved a supplemental loan of P14.6 billion for the project, as the total cost increased to P70.8 billion. The changes will also involve extending the implementation period until 31 December 2027.

This project intends to improve the physical connectivity between Davao City and Panabo City. It is expected to reduce travel time and improve the traffic situation between the two cities from 1 hour and 44 minutes to 49 minutes upon completion.

“While this project was first approved by the NEDA Board in 2015, its implementation was hampered by the pandemic. The changes in the project scope and cost will ensure that this key infrastructure project receives the necessary support for its successful completion,” stated Balisacan.

Lastly, the NEDA Board confirmed the Integrated Water Resources Master Plan (IWMP) spearheaded by the Water Resources Management Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The IWMP will serve as the comprehensive national policy for managing water resources in the country to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient water supply at any time, particularly during adverse weather conditions such as El Niño.

“We prioritize infrastructure development as a key driver of our economy to improve the lives of every Filipino. While significant policy reforms have already been put in place to address long-standing constraints to sustainable and resilient infrastructure, we recognize the need for further efforts to boost infrastructure investment and execution. Thus, we will closely monitor our infrastructure flagship projects to ensure they are completed and delivered on time,” Balisacan said.