By Presidential Communications Office, August 29, 2024
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved on Wednesday the Civil Service Modernization Project, modifications in cost and extensions of the implementation period and loan validity for bridges in Metro Manila, and the inclusion of the Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in the NEDA Board.
In an interview at Malacañang, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that among the items approved during the 20th NEDA Board meeting was the PhP3.8-billion Philippine Civil Service Modernization Project under the Civil Service Commission (CSC), a vital initiative for the development of human resource management processes in the public sector. The project will be implemented from 2025 to 2029.
“It’s quite an important project for the development of human resource management processes in the public sector,” said Balisacan, who heads the NEDA.
The Board also approved the request for an increase in cost and an extension of the implementation period and loan validity for the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project (MMPBSIP) to improve the safety and resilience of two bridges in the National Capital Region.
The MMPBSIP will strengthen the seismic resilience of Metro Manila’s transport network by replacing, retrofitting, and reinforcing the Guadalupe Bridge and the Lambingan Bridge.
The total project cost will be increased by PhP2.41 billion (30.33 percent), from PhP7.93 billion to PhP10.34 billion.
There was also confirmation of ad referendum decisions on the upgrade, expansion, operation, and maintenance of both the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and the Laguindingan International Airport.
“We also reported on the progress in the implementation of the 186 infrastructure flagship projects and also how those relate with ‘yung earlier reported as problematic ODA (official development assistance) projects. Providing the updates on those projects,” Balisacan said.
This is included in the 2024 Second Quarter Progress Report on the Infrastructure Flagship Projects under the Build-Better-More Program.
The inclusion of the DA and DepEd Secretaries in the NEDA Board ensures that the administration’s priorities in agriculture and food security, as well as education—particularly the development of skills for a competitive economy—are properly addressed, the NEDA chief added.