The Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board recently approved five projects on transportation, infrastructure and health worth P32.67 billion.

These projects aim to build and rehabilitate vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges and hospitals to improve the delivery of basic services and movement of trade.

First of these five projects is the Light Railway Transit (LRT) Line 2 East Extension Project that involves the design and construction of a 4.19-kilometer extension from the existing Santolan Station to Masinag Junction (intersection of Marcos Highway and Sumulong Highway). Two stations will be located at Emerald Drive, Cainta, Rizal (in front of Robinson’s Place Metro East) and Masinag Junction, Antipolo City, Rizal.

“The project will provide rapid and reliable mode of transit to the east of Manila and to various strategic commercial, industrial and educational districts in Metro Manila,” Neda Deputy Director-General Rolando Tungpalan said.

The total length of the LRT Line 2 will be around 16.75 kilometers upon completion of the extension. The project’s total approved cost is P9.76 billion, an amount to be entirely financed by its proponent, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC).

“This project aims to reduce the use of motorized vehicles that contribute to both air and noise pollution,” he added.

Also, a public-private partnership (PPP) project, the Modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC) was approved by the ICC CabCom. This project involves construction of 700-bed capacity tertiary orthopedic hospital within the National Kidney and Transplant Institute Complex along East Avenue, Quezon City.

“There is a need to upgrade the facilities and enhance the operational efficiency of the POC. This addresses the challenge of transforming it into the country’s primary center for bone and joints disease that will be at par with global standards,” Tungpalan said.

The project, with an approved cost of P5.69 billion, also comprises the supply, installation, operations and management of modern diagnostics equipment and IT facilities, as well as the operation and maintenance of the entire facility. The project’s proponent is the Department of Health (DoH).

Another ICC CabCom-approved project is the Upgrading and Rehabilitation Project of the Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC) that will improve the port’s facilities and services and facilitate unloading, handling and distribution of fish and fishery products. The NFPC is one of the National Capital Region’s (NCR) major fish landing facility that contributes an annual average of 80 percent to the region’s total fish supply.

“The project fulfills the government’s goal of raising productivity and incomes of fishery-based household through improving infrastructure. This also increases investments and employment in the region,” the Neda official said.