The Philippines National Economic & Development Authority (NEDA) has approved plans for a PhP43.319bn (£659m) expressway and PhP4.799bn (£73m) airport.

The Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) project involves the financing, design and construction of a new four-lane 47km expressway that stretches 47.018 kilometers from the end of Cavite Expressway  to join the South Luzon Expressway.

“The project is consistent with the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016’s transport sector objective of providing dependable access to production areas such as Cavite and Laguna, being rapidly growing industrial and commercial centress south of Metro Manila,” said socioeconomic planning secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

The project, as presently appraised, is estimated to cost PhP43.319bn (£659m) and is proposed to be financed partly through public-private partnership (PPP) and partly through development assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Philippines Department of Public Works & Highways is the project’s proponent.

The Bicol International Airport project was also also approved. It involves construction of a new domestic airport of international standards in Daraga, Albay, to replace the existing Legazpi Airport due to the latter’s limitations and safety concerns.

“The project aims to improve safety and efficiency of aircraft operations through the construction of a new airport in Albay that meets international standards and practices and enhance the accessibility of tourism destinations in the Bicol Region,” Balisacan said.

The project also involves the construction of landside and airside facilities, passenger and cargo terminal buildings and related facilities/equipment, security and navigational aids equipment, detailed engineering design and land acquisition for the airport compound. The approved total cost of the project is PhP4.799bn (£73m), which will be sourced from the Department of Transportation & Communication budget.

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