NEDA Board greenlights key projects to modernize gov’t systems, strengthen infras

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved the Philippine Civil Service Modernization (PCSM) Project and several major infrastructure initiatives during its 20th meeting on August 28, 2024, signaling a push toward enhancing economic productivity and government efficiency.

The PCSM Project, led by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), is a significant effort to modernize human resource management within the Philippine government.

“The public sector employs nearly two million individuals who are essential to the provision of public services. If the system lacks efficiency, and government agencies are not interconnected, we cannot optimize our service delivery,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan stated.

The project, which aims to streamline and digitalize HR processes across various government agencies, will initially be implemented in 39 pilot agencies in 2025. It is set to expand to 1,187 agencies over the next decade.

Balisacan emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and is expected to improve government productivity.

In addition to the PCSM Project, the NEDA Board approved the extension of the submission deadline for comparative proposals related to the upgrade and expansion of Laguindingan International Airport until September 13, 2024.

Depending on whether any challenges arise, the project may be awarded as early as September or by mid-December.

Moreover, the Board approved a budget increase of PHP2.406 billion for the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project (MMPBSIP), raising the total cost to PHP10.339 billion.

The project, focused on strengthening the Guadalupe and Lambingan Bridges to better withstand large-scale earthquakes, has also been granted an extension of its implementation period to December 30, 2028.

“These major projects approved by the NEDA Board are expected to further enhance our country’s economic productivity as we invest in initiatives that promote a more robust and sustainable development trajectory in the long term,” Balisacan added.