THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has proposed 21 projects for the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), focusing on infrastructure development, modernization projects and food production, a top official said.

"In the last steering committee meeting three months ago, NEDA, together with the DoE (Department of Energy), DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and DoTr (Department of Transportation) presented the projects that might be considered by the steering committee for financing and for joint support by the three countries (the United States, Japan and the Philippines)," Socioeconomic Planning Undersecretary Joseph Capuno told reporters on Thursday.

Among the projects are the Central Luzon Link Expressway Phase Il, Luzon Bypass Infrastructure Project, the Poro Point Seaport Modernization, NSCR System New Clark City Extension, ICT Infrastructure in New Clark City, New Clark City Industrial Estate, Kalaanan Irrigation Project and the North Luzon East Expressway.

Also included are the Clark the International Airport Infrastructure Expansion Phase I and II, Clark Urban Transport System, the National Food Storage Terminal, NSCR System, Central Luzon BRT and Subic Bay Bridge Project.

Likewise, on the proposed list are Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway Project, Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake Ferry System, Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Development Phase 1, Calamba-Batangas Railway and the Southern Batangas Airport.

The Luzon Economic Corridor is the first Global Infrastructure and Investment economic corridor in the Indo-Pacific region, designed to enhance connectivity between Subic Bay, Clark, Manila and Batangas.

The United States, Philippines and Japan have signed as partners, fulfilling the Trilateral Leaders' commitment made in April to develop the LEC under the PGI Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Investment Accelerator.

A steering committee meets quarterly to discuss LEC projects.

Capuno said the proposed 21 projects will be revisited in the next steering committee meeting, either later this month or in the following month. "But definitely this quarter ... the committee will finalize which projects will be prioritized under that Tri-Country agreement," Capuno noted.