MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently approved key changes to the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (LLRN) Project and also set terms for the Bohol and Laguindingan airports.
In a statement on Tuesday, the NEDA said the approval was made during the Board's meeting last July 15.
During the meeting, the Board approved modifications to the Phase 1 scope of the LLRN Project, which now includes the development of connecting roads and interchanges in various locations. These locations encompass Barangay Tunasan in Muntinlupa City, as well as San Pedro, Biñan, and Cabuyao in Laguna.
Initially approved in 2021, the project entails the construction of a 37.5-kilometer primary road and a 12.0-kilometer viaduct from Lower Bicutan, Taguig, to Tunasan, Muntinlupa.
It also includes the 25.5-kilometer shoreline viaduct and embankment from Tunasan, Muntinlupa, to Calamba, Laguna.
Slated to be completed in 2027, the project is expected to stimulate economic activity in the National Capital Region, CALABARZON, and Central Luzon.
The second phase of the LLRN Project, meanwhile, which will traverse the eastern portion of Laguna Lake from Binangonan, Rizal, to Calamba, Laguna, is currently under a feasibility study and is slated for completion by December 2024.
The project will have an approximate mainline total length of 71.5 kilometers.
“The NEDA Board recognizes the significant potential of this project in reducing transportation constraints on existing road networks, promoting economic development in the region, and providing safer, more convenient, and faster travel for road users coming from the north and south to various tourist and business destinations in Laguna and nearby provinces,” said NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
Aside from the LLRN Project, the NEDA Board also approved the negotiated parameters, terms, and conditions (PTCs) for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport Project, and changes to the NEDA Board-approved negotiated PTCs for the Laguindingan International Airport Project.
The approved PTCs for the upgrade of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport seek to resolve ambiguities in compliance with the recently enacted Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code, which came into effect after the airport project was approved.
With a total cost of PHP4.5 billion, the expansion project aims to increase the maximum number of passengers from 2 million to at least 2.5 million per year at the project’s start and to at least 3.9 million by the end of the project.
The approved changes to the Laguindingan Airport, meanwhile, include guidelines for the adjustment of the passenger service charge, which will be contingent upon achieving the set key performance indicators and minimum performance standards and specifications for operation and maintenance during the concession period.
With a total cost of PHP12.75 billion, the project will upgrade the existing facilities and also include capacity augmentation, installation of required equipment, enhancement of airside facilities, and comprehensive operations and maintenance services.
“The expansion of these international airports is a testament to the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity across regional centers in the Philippines. We expect these projects to significantly boost tourism, and as a result, generate more high-quality jobs,” said Balisacan.
The NEDA said the Board also approved an additional USD30-million loan to support the Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF).
The PDMF provides a project preparation facility for implementing agencies to undertake pre-investment activities, such as developing feasibility studies for potential PPP projects and engaging high-quality transaction advisors.
The facility will provide support throughout the preparation, development, approval, procurement, coordination, and monitoring of various PPP projects.
“As we strive to expand private sector participation in our infrastructure projects, this additional support for the Project Monitoring and Development Facility will ensure that our PPP undertakings are meticulously planned and executed to the highest standards. It will also guarantee continued access to international sources of innovation, expertise, advice, and best practices in the development and implementation of PPP projects,” Balisacan said. (PNA)
