Four key projects on course, 2 more need external funding
FOUR key infrastructure projects funded by the national government are now ongoing in Pangasinan which, when completed, will have an impact on the economic growth not only of the province but also the whole of Region 1.
The projects are the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Toll Expressway Project (TPLUTEP), Sual Seaport, Pangasinan Airport in Alaminos, and the Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project (ARIIP).
Dr. Leonardo Quitos, regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), outlined these projects in a briefing before members of the Pangasinan Press Club (PPC) last July 6 in Dagupan City.
The P14-billion TPLUTEP, an 845-kilometer road four-lane toll road and parallel to the existing Manila north road, which is now 34.33 percent complete.
It will be connected to the Manila North Expressway and to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway to cut travel time from Manila and Subic to Baguio City and San Fernando City in La Union passing through Pangasinan.
The project is targeted for completion by 2030.
The Sual Seaport started construction in May this year using the initial P80.25 million released by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).
Being implemented by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the project needs a budget of P400 to P500 million until its completion.
The DOTC, PPA, the provincial government of Pangasinan and the municipal government of Sual signed a memorandum of agreement last year to jointly bankroll the project.
Also ongoing is the P4 B Pangasinan Airport in Alaminos where land acquisition was already started using the initial P37 million released by DOTC.
The P11.3 billion ARIIP, which seeks to irrigate 34,000 hectares of land in 17 towns of eastern and central Pangasinan is now 54 per cent and is expected to be completed in December 2013.
However, Quitos admitted that the RDC endorsed Phase III of the Lower Agno River Flood Control Project to the Office of Development Assistance (ODA) but a funding source has yet to be found.
The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and its partner, the Japanese Bank for International Development, backed out as funding sources for the project reportedly due to extended delays.
These Japanese institutions bankrolled Phases I and II of the project.
Quitos said another very important project is the Allied River Improvement Project concentrated in Central Pangasinan.
This was proposed earlier by then Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. to finally stop the floods in Dagupan, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Mangaldan, San Jacinto, Manaoag Binmaley and San Carlos City due to the overflowing of the Pantal-Sinocalan River and the Cayanga River systems.
Quitos said this is also awaiting funding source.
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