PGMA's seven priority infra projects completed

PIA Press Release 2007/07/23

PGMA's seven priority infra projects completed

MANILA (PNA) (23 July) -- A total of four major and three component priority infrastructure projects, which are all part of central Philippines super region under economic development programs of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, have been completed while 19 others are expected to be finished this year.

Topping the list is the 188-hectare New Iloilo Airport which replaced the old domestic airport in Mandurriao followed by New Bacolod Airport, Jagna Port in Bohol and Maasin Port in Leyte.

The P8.75-billion New Iloilo Airport Development became operational last April 14 to serve the increasing number of air passengers and cargo traffic and boost economic development and tourism activity in the Visayas region.

Although listed as completed, the P6.3-billion New Bacolod Airport Development will be 100 percent finished by end of July. By 2010, the airport is expected to cater up to 1,229,000 passengers and 19,000 metric tons of cargo.

On the other hand, the improvement of both the Jagna and Maasin port projects amounting to P62 million and P99.9 million, respectively, has resulted in more efficient port operations and services toward faster economic development in the Visayas region.

Among the completed major components projects include: the Roxas-Puerto Princesa section of El Nido-Bataraza-Rio Tuba road; passenger terminal building of Lucena Port; and the Container Terminal I of Subic Bay Port Development project.

The two-section El Nido-Balaraza-Rio Tuba road project worth P2.6 billion will provide a more reliable, efficient and safer transport infrastructure which will further enhance the tourism potentials of Palawan.

Scheduled for completion this year are: Subic Bay Port Development; upgrading and rehabilitation of existing back-up area of port of Cagayan de Oro; short protection of Dipolog Airport; construction of rock causeway pier and RoRo Ramp and passenger terminal building of Limasawa Port; and phase two of Batangas Port Development Project.

The Infrastructure Monitoring Task Force (IMTF) has been monitoring a total of 84 priority infrastructure projects aimed at spurring more economic activities of the Super Regions.

In her 2006 report to the nation, the President unveiled her blueprint of the Super Regions economic plan, or Phase 3 of the Medium-Term Public Investment Program.

The economic concept of the Super Regions program underscored the need "to invest in the natural advantages and natural resources of a section of our nation so that when harnessed together, the major economic regions are larger than the sum of its parts." (PNA)LDV/JFM



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