More mega projects set for Pangasinan
A GOOD BEGINNING FOR 2010
NOTWITHSTANDING the election next year and its consequent ban on public infrastructure projects for a certain period, several “mega projects” are set for implementation in Pangasinan.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Leonardo Quitos, also vice chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC), said the biggest of these projects is the P4.2 billion re-regulating pond, which is a major component of the P7-billion Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project (ARIIP).
The other mega projects are the Alaminos Regional Airport costing P467 million (See related story on page 1) and the Sual Port worth P385.5 million.
These three projects, plus the proposed Pangasinan Industrial Park between Alaminos City and Sual, are ready for implementation with their respective feasibility studies already completed, according to Quitos.
The ARIIP, once completed, will become one of the country’s biggest irrigation projects with an expected service area of between 30,000 to 40,000 hectares of land.
Of the more than P7 million budget for ARIIP, more than one half would go to the construction of the re-regulating pond, which is 300 meters long and 300 meters wide and 12 meters in height.
The re-regulating pond, financed from a loan granted by China’s Import and Export Bank, will harness the stored water of the San Roque Dam in San Manuel town, instead of just flowing downstream and emptying at the Lingayen Gulf.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the re-regulating pond was held in November last year.
For the Sual Port, Quitos said the opening of sealed bids has been scheduled this month.
The winning bidder will build Phase 1 of the port costing P80 million.
For the Pangasinan Industrial Park, Quitos said Phases I and II of the project are already being prepared for implementation.
Another project that will cross large areas of Pangasinan is the P14-billion Tarlac – La Union Expressway, which will be rolled out by a public-private sector partnership and set for completion in 2020.
This toll road will be linked to the Subic-Clark- Tarlac Expressway and is expected to cut the travel time from La Union to Manila by three hours.
Quitos also noted that a feasibility study for the Tri-City Ferry Project that will link Dagupan, Alaminos and San Fernando across the Lingayen Gulf was started last year.
2009 PROJECTS
In 2009, the national government poured a total of P1.47 billion worth of infrastructure projects in Pangasinan.
This includes P409 million for national roads and bridges, P256 million for flood control and drainage; P542 million for irrigation facilities; P62 million for school buildings; and P198 million for national and districts hospitals.
Quitos said these projects are considered “interventions” by the national government and do not include “interventions” undertaken by the Local Government Units.—LM
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