The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board on Tuesday approved the extension of the construction period and other adjustments to the Cavite Industrial Area-Flood Risk Management Project (CIA-FRIMP) and the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP) – Phase IV.
The NEDA Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., gave its approval during its 22nd meeting at Malacañan Palace in Manila, according to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
The PCO said the approved changes in the CIA-FRIMP include the increase in the total project cost to PHP22.037 billion, higher by 122.79 percent or PHP12.146 billion from PHP9.891 billion.
The NEDA Board also approved the 65-month extension of the project’s implementation period starting from April 2025 until September 2029, the PCO said, adding it has been adjusted from the original October 2019 to April 2024.
The PCO said the NEDA Board also gave its nod to the change in the scope of work, particularly the widening of diversion channels and additional drainage channels.
Another adjustment was a loan reallocation totaling JPY1.042 billion from consulting services (JPY 384 billion) and contingencies.
“I think maybe the detailed engineering had to compensate for weather changes. And then the housing, wala ‘yung housing sa (the housing was not included in the) original estimate,” Marcos said during the meeting, as quoted by the PCO.
“The cost will be increased. At least the local component will be increased from the original. That’s the only thing that sticks out on the financial analysis. But it’s still within the guidelines,” he added.
As of Sept. 30, 2024, the CIA-FRIMP has an overall physical accomplishment of 44.21 percent, with negative slippage of 55.79 percent. It has a fund utilization rate of 35.42 percent, or PHP3.503 billion already disbursed.
The project aims to mitigate flood damage in the lower reach of San Juan River Basin and its adjacent Maalimango Creek Drainage Area in Cavite province.
The NEDA Board also approved a 74.32-percent increase or PHP24.599 billion in total project cost from PHP33.097 billion to PHP57.696 billion for the PMRCIP Phase IV, the PCO said.
The PCO added there will be a 63-month extension for the implementation of the PMRCIP Phase IV from December 2025 to March 2031.
The NEDA Board also approved the changes in scope of work, such as the design of the Middle Marikina River, modifications in drainage facilities, and additional work.
A loan reallocation totaling JPY3.373 billion from consulting services (JPY1.728 billion) and contingencies (JPY1.645 billion) to the civil works component was also approved by the NEDA Board, including a supplemental loan of JPY45.759 billion.
The PMRCIP aims to mitigate flood damage in Metro Manila caused by channel overflow of the Pasig-Marikina River.
The project is seen to benefit residents of the cities of Pasig, Marikina, and Quezon in Metro Manila and the municipalities of Taytay and Cainta in Rizal.
“Ang concern ko rin (My other concern) is the design. Does it take into account the new weather? Because ano na ‘yan, danger area na ‘yang Marikina talaga (The danger area is really in Marikina). The levels of water in the last two big typhoons we had, we came to within half a meter of the limit bago mag spillover,” Marcos said.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan told Marcos that the design of the project helped in stopping spillover during the recent typhoons.
“The other component that we are looking into the Pasig-Marikina River is actually the construction of the three dams in the [watershed],” Bonoan said.
Apart from the changes in the two flood control projects, the NEDA Board also approved the implementation of the locally financed Philippine International Exhibition Center Project, and the acquisition of 40 units of fast patrol crafts to be funded through official development assistance (ODA). (PNA)