CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has given the green light to 15 infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) for Northern Mindanao.
These IFPs, considered game-changing initiatives of national significance, aim to bolster the region's infrastructure landscape as part of the Build Better More program, said Mylah Faye Aurora Cario, NEDA-10 regional director, during the 137th RDC-10 Full Council Meeting on March 25.
Cariño highlighted the region's increasing share in national infrastructure initiatives, noting that despite initial concerns about reductions, Northern Mindanao secured 15 projects out of 185, totaling P397 billion.
"The list started out with 194. Then, subsequently, it became 198. When the list was 194, we had 11 unique projects for Region 10, excluding interregional projects. Then, when it reached 198, we added one more, making it 12. When the list was trimmed down to 185, we were afraid that the list would also be decreased on the part of Region 10. But on Feb. 29, when the list was released, out of 185, we had 15," she said.
The approved projects include the Panguil Bay Bridge; Flood Risk Improvement and Management Project for Cagayan de Oro River (FRIMP-CDOR); Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road; Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road (Puerto-Gusa Section); Cagayan de Oro Diversion Road Extension (Jct. Sayre Highway Balubal - Manolo Fortich-Malitbog-Claveria-Eureka, Gingoog City Road);
CDO-Opol-El Salvador-Alubijid-Laguindingan Airport (Pueblo de Oro/CDO Airport to Jct BCIR Laguindingan) Mountain Diversion Road; Iligan City Coastal Bypass Road; Upgrade, Expansion, Operation, and Maintenance of the Laguindingan International Airport Project; Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Plant Complex Rehabilitation under Series of Project 1;
Bukidnon Airport Development Project; Naawan-Opol-Cagayan de Oro City-Villanueva Expressway (MisOrEx); Maridagao (Kadingilan) Irrigation Project; Mindanao Railway Project Phase 3 (Northern Mindanao); Central Mindanao High Standard Highway Construction Project; and Cagayan de Oro Bus Rapid Transit.
Of the 15 projects, six are undergoing pre-project or under-project preparation. The Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the National Irrigation Administration, and the National Privacy Commission spearhead these IFPs.
Cariño also provided updates on RDC-10-endorsed budget proposals, highlighting an increasing trend in appropriations from 2019 to 2024.
A total of P26 billion funded 66, or 27 percent, of the 244 RDC-10-endorsed priority projects in 2024 alone.
Cariño thanked Northern Mindanao house representatives for their advocacy in championing regional budgets, emphasizing the region's vital role in national development initiatives. (APB/PIA-10)
