Year-End Review: Construction Projects in the Philippines Launched and Initiated in 2023

The development of the country’s infrastructure is one of the biggest initiatives of the current administration. Last March, the Department of Works and Highways announced that more than 700,000 infrastructure projects will be implemented just this year alone, and the number is exclusive of other pending projects for approval and the ones arranged to begin operations in the oncoming years. Among the large number of projects positioned to be launched in 2023, many are high-priority projects that take up a significant portion of this year’s ₱890 billion budget allocation. In this article, we will feature some of the biggest projects of DPWH launched and initiated in 2023. 

Construction Projects in the Philippines Launched and Initiated in 2023

The current administration has initiated and launched multiple infrastructure projects under its Build, Better, More program. According to the statement by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan during the Post-State of the Nation (SONA) Discussions, the country’s disbursement rate has significantly increased in 2023. Last year, the DPWH budget disbursed ₱358.6 Billion, which went up to  ₱413.9 Billion in 2023. Below are some of the biggest construction projects that DPWH has launched and initiated this year.

Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge 

Image from Wikipedia

The Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge, also known as the Manila Bay Bridge is a proposed bridge that is set to connect the provinces of Bataan and Cavite with a marine viaduct. 

Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project Tunnel No. 5

Image from Philippine Star

The Angat water transmission improvement project will secure the water supply of 13 million inhabitants of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) service area.

Bayabas Small Reservoir Irrigation Project

The Bayabas Small Reservoir Irrigation Project is designed to provide additional water supply to agricultural areas.

Davao City Bypass Construction Project Package II-1

Image from DPWH

An objective of the Davao City Bypass project is to enhance the transportation system in the area and lessen the congestion in Davao City.  Enhancing the economic and social development in Mindanao is its overall agenda.

Metro Manila Subway 

Image from Top Gear Philippines

Although the project was inaugurated years prior, the official launch of tunnel excavations began in January 2023.

Infrastructure Flagship Projects To Be Completed in 2024 and 2025

Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase 3 – (2024)

Image from PIA

The objective of the Arterial Road Bypass is to lessen the usual traffic congestion in the Plaridel Area.

Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road Project – (2024)

Image from DPWH

The Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road is designed to reduce traffic congestion in the area by extending the road from Barangay Puerto in Opol, Misamis Oriental to Barangay Gusa. 

Central Luzon Link Expressway – (2024)

Image from AutoDeal

Central Luzon Link Expressway will connect the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and the Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX) to the North Luzon East Expressway in Cabanatuan, which is also currently under construction.

Davao City Coastal Road Project – (2025)

Image from Business World Online

Davao City Coastal Road is meant to address the increasing traffic congestion on the Cotabato-Davao Road. The coastal road will begin from the Toril area and extend to the city center.

General Santos Fish Port Rehabilitation and Expansion Project – (2025)

Image from Wikipedia

The General Santos Fish Port Rehabilitation and Expansion Project is meant to modernize the Fish Port Complex to support the growth of the local tuna industry and boost the local economy. 

Build Better More Infrastructure Flagship Projects in The Philippines

Among the 194 infrastructure flagship projects included in the current administration’s bid to improve the economy of the Philippines, the above-mentioned projects are some of the most significant initiatives included. These projects are developed to support the 8-point socioeconomic agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. while continuing a number of the projects from the previous Build, Build, Build program of then-President Rodrigo Duterte. 2023 has been a pivotal year for the infrastructure industry of the country and these ambitious projects are positioned to ignite economic growth and community development in the years to come. 

References

• Asian Development Bank. (n.d.). 46362-002: Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project. Asian Development Bank. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.adb.org/projects/46362-002/main
• De Leon, S. (2023, July 26). Build Better More: Expanding infrastructure development by going beyond just building. Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://pia.gov.ph/news/2023/07/26/build-better-more-expanding-infrastructure-development-by-going-beyond-just-building
• DPWH. (2020, September 16). DPWH to extend CDO Coastal Road by 9km | Department of Public Works and Highways. DPWH. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/news/19551
• DPWH 11: Davao City Coastal Road first segment set to open soon. (2023, June 8). City Government of Davao. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/infrastructure-development/dpwh-11-davao-city-coastal-road-first-segment-set-to-open-soon/
• JICA. (n.d.). Arterial Road Bypass Project(Phase 3) ｜ About JICA. JICA. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.jica.go.jp/english/about/organization/environment/id/asia/southeast/a_b_fi/philippines/c8h0vm0000bmhnt6.html
• Manahan, J. (2023, March 14). DPWH: More than 70000 infra projects in 2023 pipeline. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/03/14/23/dpwh-more-than-70000-infra-projects-in-2023-pipeline
• Palicte, C. (2021, October 20). Modern Mati fish port to start construction in Nov. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1157213
• Philkoei. (n.d.). Projects – Davao City Bypass Project. Philkoei. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://philkoei.com.ph/project/davao-city-bypass-project/
• Revised Guidelines for the Formulation, Prioritization and Monitoring of the Government’s Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IF. (2023, August 23). NEDA. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Revised-Guidelines-for-New-IFPs-NEDA-Board-Approved-23-August-2023.pdf
• Wikipedia. (n.d.). Central Luzon Link Expressway. Wikipedia. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Luzon_Link_Expressway