Manila: In a bid to perk up the country’s disaster-battered economy, the Philippine government announced it would be embarking on a P184.2 billion (Dh15.4 billion) infrastructure building programme.

The scheme, to be implemented over a several year period, will involve seven projects which will be undertaken together with the private sector under a partnership programme.

The projects aim to build and rehabilitate vital infrastructure such as airports, light rail transits, hospital and others to improve the delivery of basic services and movement of trade, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said.

During the regular press briefing at the presidential palace, Coloma said the first these projects is the P64.9 billion LRT Line 1 South Extension Project that involves the extension of the existing LRT Line 1 South.

The LRT is the elevated railway servicing the northwestern portion of Metro Manila and its adjoining suburbs in the south. It is one of the most used modes of transport in the metropolis.

“Next is the MRT 7 Project (Metro Rail Transport) at a total cost of P62.7 billion. The project involves the construction of a 22.8km rail system from North Avenue up to the proposed intermodal transportation terminal in San Jose del Monte Bulacan,” Coloma said.

The MRT 7 is aimed at not only providing regular commuter access to the Bulacan area, but also at easing population congestion in Metro Manila.

“Third is the LRT Line 1 North Extension Programme/Common Station (P1.4 billion). The project involves the provision of a common station among LRT 1, MRT 3, and MRT 7, as well as road-based transportation systems. This is a locally funded project,” the Communications Secretary said.

Coloma said the fourth project is the Mactan-Cebu International Airport New Passenger Terminal Project which is estimated to cost a total of P17.5 billion.

“Next is the Development Transportation System at FTI (Food Terminal Inc) and PRA (Philippine Reclamation Authority area); FTI will be the Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Terminal at the FTI property in Taguig to serve passengers travelling to and from Laguna and Batangas and the South Coastal Road Terminal will be at the PRA property beside Asia World Uniwide along the Manila-Cavite Expressway in Paranaque City to serve passengers travelling to and from Cavite,” he said.

Aside from adding much needed infrastructure in Metro Manila and Cebu, these projects will provide Filipinos with jobs as the country reels from successive natural calamities, the latest of which are the Typhoon Haiyan which struck eastern and western Visayas on November 8 and the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that devastated large parts of Bohol as well as Cebu.

Aside from this, Coloma said the National Economic Development Authority board also approved the Modernisation of the Philippine Orthopaedic Centre and the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project to ensure potable water supply to Bulacan province.