11/19/2004 12:50:47 PM
Bicol and Mindanao Dev’t Strategies Bared
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo L. Neri bared today the various strategies that would spur economic growth for Bicol and Mindanao as outlined in the government’s Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2004-2010, contradicting reports that said regions have been left behind. Neri, who is also Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), stressed that the MTPDP 2004-2010 supports the development of the Southern Luzon Corridor as a strategy to decongest Metro Manila, and provide new opportunities for growth in the countryside. “The Plan has in fact identified as one of its priority activities, the rehabilitation of the existing rail link to Bicol,” Neri said, adding that while no rail facility is mentioned for Mindanao, a great number of infrastructure investments have been committed for the region. “Key roads and roll-on and roll-off (RORO) port facilities have been lined up for Mindanao, which would complete the Western, Central and Eastern Nautical Highways. New government centers are also planned to be established, and various tourism infrastructure have been committed for the Mindanao Region,” he said. The NEDA chief noted that special attention has also been given to provide affirmative action for Peace and Development in Mindanao. The MTPDP views that instead of concentrating investment to a single corridor in the Mindanao Island, the same amount could be strategically allocated to more urgent needs by the population (e.g., peace and order, access to product markets, etc.). He added that currently, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) has submitted to NEDA a Feasibility Study for the railway operations in the Bicol area. Said project will consist of two phases. Phase 1 involves rehabilitation and reconstruction works of 89 percent (422.662 km covering Calamba, Laguna to Legaspi City in Albay) of the existing 474.00 km long Main Line South. Phase 2 involves the construction of a 112.23 km new rail line extending the Main Line South to Matnog, Sorsogon, being the takeoff point towards Visayas and Mindanao. “Phase 1 has an estimated cost of US $627.81 million while Phase 2 was estimated to cost at US$304.23 million. Together, both Phases will require an investment of US$932.04. Commercial operation to Lucena City is proposed to start by 2006,” he said. On the other hand, Phase 2 is proposed to be implemented from 2008 to 2009, which will make rail operations reach Matnog, Sorsogon by 2010. “The project will adopt the narrow or Cape track. The rail will run on a single track and will make use of diesel traction. Signaling system will consist of a line clear certificate and staff block,” Neri said. Civil and track works for Phase 1, which will involve the rehabilitation of the existing line, will cost US$1.04 million per rail kilometer. Phase 2, which will involve the construction of a new line, will cost US$2.06 million per rail km. The combined costs were estimated at US$3.09 million per rail km. The costs for civil and track works for all brand-new, double-tracked NorthRail Project, Phase 1 section 1 will be at US$4.2 million. Total loan amount for the Northrail Project, Phase 1 Section 1 will be at PhP20,551.650 million while combined loans being proposed to be procured for the whole of the Main Line South Project will be at PhP49,584 million.