The National Economic Development Authority approved P48.1 billion worth of transportation projects, including a new 47-kilometer expressway in Cavite.

The agency said in a meeting on July 12 its Investment Coordination Committee composed of Cabinet officials cleared the P43.3-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway project and the P4.8-billion Bicol International Airport project, which seek to improve mobility in the southern part of Luzon.

It said the Calax project would involve the construction of a new four-lane expressway that stretches from the end of Cavite Expressway in Kawit, Cavite to Mamplasan Interchange of the South Luzon Expressway in Biñan, Laguna.

Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the expressway project was consistent with the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016’s transport sector objective of providing dependable access to production areas such as Cavite and Laguna, which are rapidly growing industrial and commercial centers south of Metro Manila.

Balisacan said the Bicol International Airport project would involve the construction of a new domestic airport of international standards in Daraga, Albay to replace the existing Legazpi airport because of limitations and safety concerns.

“The project aims to improve safety and efficiency of aircraft operations through the construction of a new airport in Albay that meets international standards and practices and enhance the accessibility of tourism destinations in the Bicol Region,” Balisacan said.

The project includes the construction of landside and airside facilities, passenger and cargo terminal buildings and related equipment, security and navigational aids, detailed engineering design, and land acquisition for the airport compound.

Funding for the airport project will come from the budget of the Transportation Department.

Meanwhile, the ICC also approved the restructuring of the Bridge Construction/Replacement project, in which the expanded program scope would entail additional works to augment the total cost of P5 billion.

“This increase in project cost is due to augmented construction costs, additional and supplemental works, among others. Moreover, there will be a modification in the list of bridges covered under the project,” Balisacan said.

Original source: manilastandardtoday.com