State Dining Room, Malacañan Palace
November 5, 2024

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presided over the 22nd National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Meeting at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace.

As Chairman of the NEDA Board, the President approved several projects presented by key meeting attendees. First, the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) discussed the proposed Philippine International Exhibition Center Project, an exhibition and convention center envisioned to capture the growing demands for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism in Southeast Asia and propel the Philippines to becoming a leader in MICE tourism and hospitality.

This was followed by the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) presentation on the acquisition of 40 units of Fast Patrol Crafts (FPCs). This is an Official Development Assistance (ODA) Project that aims to enhance the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) response capability, particularly during search and rescue operations, rescue and salvage works, environmental protection, enforcement of applicable maritime laws, transport of goods and personnel in times of calamities and disasters, and support in the socioeconomic development of the national and local government units.

Third, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) talked about two (2) ODA Projects with requests for an extension of the implementation period, change in scope, increase in cost, loan reallocation and/or supplemental loan. The first one is the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project covering the improvement of the San Juan River Channel and Maalimango Creek, benefitting communities in Imus City, Noveleta, Rosario, Kawit and General Trias City in Cavite.

The other ODA Project is Phase IV of the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (PMRCIP IV) involving the construction of various flood management infrastructures such as dikes/revetments and flood gates, as well as channel dredging works, among others.

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