About P39.1 billion worth of projects were listed for Cebu out of the P246.8 billion identified for implementation in Central Visayas in the next four years by the Regional Development Council (RDC).
Infrastructure projects listed in the region’s Core Investment Program include the new passenger terminal building at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) worth P17.5 billion.
Also listed were Cebu City’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system worth P11 billion, the development of a new Cebu International Port worth P9.9 billion and the Cebu City diversion road or concreting of V. Rama Ave. in barangay Guadalupe to Gorordo Ave. worth P750 million.
Also listed in the region’s core investment program are the Bohol backbone transmission project worth P1.6 billion, the Naga City substation project at P1.3 billion and the proposed 3×37.5 MW Palinpinon geothermal power plant I life extension project at P2.2 billion.
The MCIA expansion project has been awarded to GMR-Megawaide consortium while the BRT project was recently approved for implementation by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
There were 16 projects proposed under infrastructure/social sector but this doesn’t include the project cost. Of the 16 projects, nine will be implemented in Cebu.
The RDC approved the region’s core investment program which NEDA Regional Director Efren Carreon presented during the joint RDC-Regional Peace and Order Council meeting held last June 26 in Tagbilaran City in Bohol Province.
The investment program is broken into four sectors: Infrastructure – P152.9 billion, economic – 25.2 billion, social/infrastructure at 68.7 billion.
The region’s priorities include projects proposed for funding under the Office of Development Assistance (ODA) and those proposed for funding under the Public-Private Partnership Program (PPP).