By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

Flood mitigation and inclusive infrastructure development rank among the administration’s top priorities, which is reflected in the countless projects that opened to the public in recent years.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the 12th Economy and Development Council (EDC) meeting at Malacañang on Wednesday, where he convened with government officials to discuss priority projects and forge new paths forward.

Chief among these is the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP) Phase 1, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) seeking additional time until May 31, 2027, to complete the construction, testing, acceptance, and turnover of the remaining facilities.

The seven pumping stations form part of the project’s original 38 facilities, which are expected to improve floodwater management capacity and protect communities in flood-prone areas.

Mindanao in focus

Moving outside of the National Capital Region, two infrastructure initiatives in Mindanao were also brought into focus during the high-level conference.

First is the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project, a landmark infrastructure that would provide constant connectivity between both locales that are separated by a vast expanse of water.

Its primary component is a 3.98-kilometer, four-lane, cable-stayed bridge crossing the Pakiputan Strait. It connects the R. Castillo-Daang Maharlika junction in Davao City to the Samal Circumferential Road in Barangay Limao.

Once completed, it is expected to reduce travel time between both places, open up more opportunities for residents, and contribute to further economic growth in the Davao Region.

Meanwhile, the administration is also advancing Project Balay, or Building Access to Learning for Students, as part of its efforts to make education more accessible to Filipino students.

The rehabilitation and modernization of the Agus-Pulangi Hydroelectric Power Plants was also brought up in the EDC meeting, with the President calling for better energy security and lower rates for consumers.

In evaluating the proposed Agus-Pulangi rehabilitation, President Marcos Jr. emphasized the need to maintain the authority and accountability of the National Power Corporation (NPC), even as the private sector takes charge of the facilities’ day-to-day operations and maintenance.

This undertaking aims to restore the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex’s generating capacity to 1,001.96 megawatts (MW) and increase annual electricity production from 3,746 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to 4,305 GWh.

Once completed, it will help minimize power interruptions and ensure that Mindanao households and businesses remain energized, which in turn will help keep the wheels of commerce rolling in the country’s second-largest island.

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