NEDA ICC seeks OK of P6-B rehab project

A government body has recommended to the board of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) the approval of a P5.99-billion infrastructure rehabilitation project following the devastation left by twin storms late last year. The NEDA’s Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC) recommended the project, which it said would restore socioeconomic activities in areas affected by storms Ondoy and Pepeng, which flooded many areas of Luzon. The project aims to rehabilitate flood control facilities, roads and bridges in. Spearheaded by the Public Works department, the project is part of government reconstruction efforts through the Special National Public Reconstruction Commission (SNPRC). The project has two components — one focused on the rehabilitation of flood control facilities and the other on the reconstruction of national roads and bridges. "This will involve the immediate clearing of landslides and restoration of damaged bridge structures and approaches, among others," the NEDA said. Specific projects for the repair and restoration of affected infrastructure will have to be validated by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). Covered by the project are the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region and regions I, II, III, IV-A and B, and V. The NEDA said local government participation is crucial to the planning and implementation of the project so that first-hand experiences and actual situations during the calamities are considered. Of the estimated project cost of P5.99 billion, P4.76 billion will be proposed for official development loan financing from Japan. The rehabilitation of flood control facilities, which started last year using local funds, is expected to be completed by June. — NPA, GMANews.TV