MANILA -- Government agencies under the Build Build Build (BBB) program commit to push forward the implementation of high-impact infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) that will bring long-term benefits to the Filipino people.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Acting Secretary Roger G. Mercado, in his message during the 1st BBB Inter Agency Forum organized by Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, expressed confidence towards sustainability and continuity of priority flagship projects which will be the foundation of economic recovery from COVID-19 pandemic. 

As the designated Chief Implementer of Flagship Projects under BBB Program by President Rodrigo Duterte, Undersecretary Sadain spearheaded the review on the progress of various IFPs in order to ensure the expeditious execution and timely completion of flagship projects implemented by the Department of Transportation, Department of Health, National Irrigation Administration, Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System, Local Water Utilities Administration, Department of the Interior and Local Govt., Department of Information Communication Technology, Toll Regulatory Board, and Philippine Statistics Authority. 

As we gear up for a better approach in sustaining the implementation of infrastructure flagship projects, we seek to identify and address implementation and capacity gaps particularly in challenging environments as these holds the key to realizing the great vision of President Duterte for the BBB Program, said Undersecretary Sadain. 

In order to establish proper coordination and practical collaboration among agencies, the forum held on December 14-15, 2021 was also participated by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Rolando U. Toledo; National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary Roderick M. Planta with his staff; DPWH Undersecretary Emerson L. Benitez; and DPWH Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista, Sharif Masdmo H. Hasim, Rodrigo Delos Reyes, Ramon P. Arriola III and Johnson Domingo. 

The forum was a significant step for the designated BBB Chief Implementer to come up with a comprehensive report of the accomplishments for IFPs under BBB as well as the scale-up plans on infrastructure development for the remainder of the term of President Duterte and forward looking in 2022 to the upcoming change of administration. 

The event is also a very fitting opportunity for every agency to share its best practices and implementation journey, key issues/concerns and challenges, and provide plans and resolutions that can be applied to pipeline projects.

Other than the COVID-19 pandemic and adverse weather condition as among the drawbacks in project implementation, other bumps identified/mentioned/discussed at the forum include regulatory environment issues, delayed procurement, difficulty in acquiring right of way, insufficient funds, and delayed financing approval. (DPWH)