Northern Mindanao has the most number of “Region-Specific” projects under the Philippine Medium Term Development Plan for 2024-2028.
According to data from the Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee of the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Council (RDC-X InfraCom) , Northern Mindanao has 15 of the 133 Region-Specific projects listed for an 11.3% share of the total, or 8.1% of the total Infrastructure Flagship Projects listed, including the 15 nationwide and 24 inter-regional projects.
The P397.41 billion Region X specific IFPs account for 4.3 percent of the P9.143 trillion total of the country’s 185 listed Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs) for the period.
The Northern Mindanao region has been allocated the biggest number of IFPs for “Region-Specific” Projects after the National Capital Region in recognition of its emergence as the Philippines fourth emerging metropolitan area.
The 185 IFPs are distributed across various regions, with 133 projects (or 72%) percent to be implemented in specific regions. NCR has the highest number of IFPs among the regions with 30 projects, followed by Region X with 15 projects, and Region III with 13 projects.
Among Region X’s projects with the highest allocations are the Mindanao Railway Project Phase 3 (Northern Mindanao) P111.08-B; Central Mindanao High Standard Highway Construction Project P102.71-B; Naawan-Opol-Cagayan de Oro City-Villanueva Expressway (MisOrEx) P46.68-B; Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road (Puerto-Gusa Section) P36.115-B; and Cagayan de Oro Bus Rapid Transit P23.38-B.
“The Infracom under Chair Gov. Peter Unabia fully supports the reorganization of the Technical Working Group which includes the LGU of Cagayan de Oro for the fast tracking of the Non Structural Measures for the FRIMP CDOR , so that the dike project can already be turned over by JICA to the LGU,” noted Engr. Elpidio M. Paras, RDC-X InfraCom Co-Chair.
“This is an important development as there are two major JICA funded infra projects for the region such as the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) expansion and the Trans Central Mindanao Highway project, which need immediate attention,” he explained.
“We also have gotten the support of the Academe (Xavier Ateneo and USTP) and the private sector (IECEP-NM) in the installation of a Flood Early Warning System for the Cagayan River and its tributaries plus an updated Flood Hazard Mapping system of the river and its watershed areas.”
Similarly, PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority (PHIVIDEC IA) Administrator & CEO Atty. Joseph Donato J. Bernedo stressed the MCT Phase 2 expansion is a key priority project PHIVIDEC IA intends to undertake in celebration of their 50th year anniversary and in the coming years.
“All steps are currently being undertaken to bring this project into fruition, including coordinated efforts with the province of Misamis Oriental and the different LGUs, as well as with national government agencies and departments,” Bernedo noted.
“This project is a crucial component in the further development of the region as it will double the capacity of our port and bring in major stakeholders in the shipping industry, thereby creating revenue streams, supply chain influx, job generation, and such other multiplier effect factors,” he
The NEDA Board approved on 27 February 2024 the updated list of IFPs. These projects are aligned with the priorities under the 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda of the President and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
These high-impact and urgently needed infrastructure projects aim to showcase the government’s Build-Better-More program.
Accordingly, the IFPs shall be prioritized under the government’s annual budget preparation and shall benefit from the expedited issuance of applicable permits and licenses consistent with current legal frameworks.
NEDA has been designated as the lead agency that will monitor the implementation of the IFPs as part of its monitoring functions.
Meanwhile, the RDC-X InfraCom recently endorsed the P256.345-Billion Priority Infrastructure Projects for FY 2024 and other initiatives to accelerate infrastructure development in Region X at the DPWH-X Conference Room, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City.
The Committee evaluated and endorsed the respective FY 2025 budget proposals of nine Infrastructure sector agencies namely, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board – Region X (LTFRB-X), Land Transportation Office – Region X (LTO-X), Maritime Industry Authority – Region X (MARINA-X), National Telecommunications Commission – Region X (NTC-X), Department of Information and Communications Technology – Region X (DICT-X), National Irrigation Administration – Region X (NIA-X), Coast Guard District – Northern Mindanao (CGD-NM), and the Department of Public Works and Highways – Region X (DPWH-X). Also evaluated and endorsed were the FY 2025 budget proposals of the 10th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, and the NBI Standard Office Building in Iligan City.
The initial total amount of the FY 2025 proposed budget of the Infrastructure sector agencies endorsed by the Committee is P 256.345 billion, pending additional recommendations as discussed by the committee.
The Committee also deliberated and endorsed the Reorganization of the Technical Working Group for the Coordination of the Non-Structural Measures for the Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan River (FRIMP-CDOR), the implementation of the Cellular Mobile Telecommunications Services (CMTS) and Broadband Mapping of Region X of DICT-X, Formulation of Provincial Integrated Water Security Plans, and the Proposed Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools Project of the Department of Education.
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