By Louella Desiderio (The Philippine
Star) Updated November 05, 2012 12:00 AM
The country’s construction business
may grow at a faster pace next year compared to this year because of increased
demand from the public sector, an industry association said.
“Construction will grow next year at a
much higher pace than this year,” Philippine Constructors Association executive
director Manolito Madrasto said in a text message.
He said construction is seen to grow
conservatively, by 10 percent next year.
For this year, he said construction is
expected to expand by nine to 10 percent from the seven percent growth posted
last year.
While growth this year has been mostly
due to high demand for residential properties and office spaces, next year’s
performance will be driven mainly by an increase in government infrastructure
projects.
“Private sector demand is going to be
the same as this year. However, public sector demand is expected to be at least
double this year’s production,” Madrasto said.
He said the Department of Public Works
and Highways’ Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Expressway project and
the Cavite-Laguna (CALA) Expressway project are both expected to be auctioned
by next year.
The P15.8 billion NAIA Expressway
Project would improve access to the NAIA.
The project is expected to provide a
seamless link between the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) and the Manila-Cavite
Toll Expressway (CAVITEX) as well as the upcoming Philippine Amusement and
Gaming Corp. City.
The P43.33 billion CALA Expressway
project meanwhile, will connect the CAVITEX and SLEx through the Cavite and
Laguna provinces.
The Department of Health is likewise
expected to roll out the modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center
project in the first quarter, followed by at least two public private
partnership projects on health facilities by the second semester.
The modernization of the Philippine
Orthopedic Center, estimated to cost P5.70 billion, will involve the
construction of a 700-bed capacity hospital within the National Kidney and
Transplant Institute in Quezon City.
The Department of Transportation and
Communications has also said it expects to award the contract for the extension
of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 project by the second quarter of next
year.
The P60-billion LRT Line 1 extension
project will involve increasing the existing 20-kilometer (km) railway to 32.4
kms.
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