The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) awarded Pacific Rim Innovation Management Exponents Inc (PRIMEX), in joint venture (JV) with the Engineering Development Corporation of the Philippines (EDCOP) and Key Engineers Co (KEC), the contract for consulting services for the formulation of a Master Plan for Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Development project in Metropolitan Tuguegarao in December 2018. It will run until December 2019.
The project aims to guide decision-makers in preparing and approving plans, policies, and programs, projects, and activities for implementation in the urban center. These initiatives seek to improve the competitiveness, security, and resiliency from disasters as well as the general urban conditions of Tuguegarao and the municipalities of Peñablanca, Iguig, Enrile and Solana (PIEST).
“PRIMEX branched out into infrastructure and urban development starting 2012. Winning this project is a testament that we are growing slowly but steadily in the sector of master planning and urban development. We are grateful for the trust of NEDA and we are confident that we will do a good job,” said Ms. Estelita Gutierrez, PRIMEX Senior Vice President.
The consultant planning team conducted courtesy calls to the Mayors of the PIEST area and to the NEDA Region 2 from 4-8 February 2019. Team Leader Arch. Concepcion Roxas was pleased with the positive feedback from the local government units (LGUs)
“The LGUs welcomed the team as well as the project. They are willing to support it,” he said.
During the Inception Workshop held on 27 February 2019, the Consultant Team discussed the objectives and the enabling conditions that will lead to the project’s success. Thirteen participants from PIEST LGUs, 7 from NEDA, and 22 members of the planning team attended the workshop. As of March 2019, the Consultant Team members have completed data gathering, focus group discussions, and key informants interviews and are preparing Situation Analysis Workshop. This activity will determine the complete description of all elements of the growth center, which includes socio-economic conditions, natural conditions and institutional aspects.
(In photo: Hon. Washington N. Taguinod (seated, center), Mayor of Penablanca, Cagayan, with the PRIMEX Consultant Team, Ms. Rizza T. Andres of NEDA Region 2 and Mr. Cesar Diaz, Municipal Planning Development Coordinator of Penablanca).