Hopeful for the incoming administration’s support on “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program, the Working Committee on Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFP) maintained that investments on infrastructure will be the cornerstones way forward for sustainable development.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary and Build Build Build Chief Implementer Emil K. Sadain, at a media briefing on the sideline of the 5th IFP Forum held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), said that implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects properly reviewed by the NEDA-ICC (National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee) Board deserves continuity to ensure economic progress and recovery from the pandemic.
The much-needed flagship infrastructure projects to bridge the infrastructure gap in the country will be the key drivers if not the main driver of the economic recovery of the country, added Undersecretary Sadain.
The same media briefing was participated by Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Bayani H. Agabin, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Rolando U. Toledo, NEDA OIC-Undersecretary Roderick M. Planta, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines Chief Representative.
Mr. Takema Sakamoto, and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Mr. Kelly Bird.
Philippines’ economic competitiveness rankings underscore the importance of infrastructure to the investment climate.
According to DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado, the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has taken the first steps toward elevating Philippines’ competitiveness to improve the investment climate by coming up with the Build, Build, Build program, adequately investing in infrastructure to support and sustain the country’s growing economic activities.
While much needs to be done, the incoming administration has to continue and build build more infrastructure projects because of benefits it has given for all Filipinos.
Other projects were already been rolled out and the incoming administration just need to push it and continue towards building a strong economy, said Undersecretary Sadain.
The current administration is expected to complete at least 19 big-ticket flagship infrastructure projects until the end of President Duterte’s term this June 30 with 12 more for completion by the end of December.
At least 35 on-going projects will be completed in 2023, while 10 projects under detailed engineering design stage are expected to start civil works by 2023 onwards.
Processing of financing are on-going for nine (9) projects with also nine (9) other projects with ongoing procurement for detailed engineering design /civil works for implementation by 2023 onward.
Twenty (20) projects are undergoing review/evaluation of the NEDA-ICC and five (5) are under project preparation.
Other than the IFPs, a consolidated report on the accomplishments of the Cabinet Infrastructure Cluster will be presented by Secretary Mercardo at the Duterte Legacy Summit Final Report to the People on May 30, 2022.
