Aquino: Major infrastructure projects launched next week

At least 10 infrastructure projects will be formally launched on November 18 under the government's public-private partnership (PPP) program. President Benigno Aquino III disclosed this at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Japan. Aquino said the first 10 infrastructure projects to be offered under the PPP program are the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Expressway link; MRT 7; the Central Luzon Expressway; and the 41.8-kilometer Cavite-Laguna (CALA) Expressway, according to a Malacañang statement. He said the NAIA Expressway link will connect Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to the coastal side of Cavite starting from Bacoor to the CALA Expressway via the Skyway and the South Luzon Expressway. On the other hand, the 23-km MRT-7 will have 14 stations traversing Quezon City and a part of Caloocan City before ending in San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan. The CALA Expressway involves the construction of a six-lane 27.2-kilometer expressway connecting Bacoor and Dasmariñas in Cavite province, and the 14.3-kilometer Laguna side of the expressway. Aquino said the Central Luzon Expressway will start in Metro Manila and end in Cagayan Valley. The Palace said these projects are part of Aquino's infrastructure program to attract more investors and help decongest Metro Manila. The launching of these projects will highlight the three-day Public-Private Partnership conference to be held Nov. 17-19 at the Marriot Hotel in Pasay City.—JV, GMANews.TV