Among the top priority development programs of the current administration since it began in 2016 is the Build, Build, Build program to improve the country’s infrastructures to stimulate economic growth.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar said new infrastructure projects will pave the way for more employment and measures to address poverty.
The current administration has allocated an estimated budget amounting to P8 trillion from 2017 to 2022 for infrastructure projects, which Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon described as one of the most important solutions to current traffic and livelihood woes.
“Isa sa pinaka-importante na magiging solusyon natin… ay Build, Build, Build, dahil dumaan ang napakadaming taon, napakadaming dekada, and napakaliit ng naging investment ng mga nakaraang gobyerno sa infrastructure,” Dizon said.
EDSA decongestion, skyway
Anna Mae Lamentillo, chairwoman of Build, Build, Build, said among the initial challenges of President Duterte was to decongest the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).
“Noong kinausap niya si Secretary [Mark] Villar and the entire team, sinabi niyang kailangan by 2022, EDSA is a totally different experience,” Lamentillo said.
The official said the last EDSA extension was conducted in the 1970s when it was stretched to Taft. However, the old road exceeded its maximum capacity by almost 140,000 vehicles.
The EDSA decongestion master plan was conceptualized and formed to respond to the problem, which covers 25 projects that include the Skyway Stage 3 which formally opened to January 2021, and was expected to reduce a minimum of 50,000 vehicles in EDSA.
Lamentillo clarified that Skyway Stage 3 was not accomplished “with the same alignment that was approved before 2016,” saying that “it was realigned in 2018” and is already a different project.
“‘Yung accomplishment rate natin for Skyway 3 was only 8%. ‘Yung overall accomplishment natin was about 11%,” she said.
The interconnection agreement was also signed to ensure interconnectivity of infrastructure road projects, such as the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
“Na-compute namin na napakalaki ng pagtaas ng average speed sa EDSA noong binuksan ‘yung Skyway, pati bridges – Kalayaan Bridge, Estrella Pantaleon Bridge, at Harbor Link,” Villar said.
Completed Projects
Data from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) listed the following projects that have been completed as of May 12, 2021:
- Improvement of remaining sections along Pasig River from Delpan Bridge to Napindan Channel
- Pulangi 4 Selective Dredging Phase 3
- Sangley Airport
- Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project
- Luzon Bypass Infrastructure Project
- New Clark City Phase 1
- Clark International Airport Expansion Project Phase 1
- LRT 2 East Extension
- Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3
- Metro Manila Logistics Network: Bonifacio Global
- City-Ortigas Center Link Road Project
- Metro Manila Logistics Network: China Grant Bridges – Binondo-Intramuros Bridge
The 18-kilometer section of Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) that will cut travel time from Tarlac City to Cabanatuan City to 20 minutes was also opened on July 15.
The NEDA data show that 12 projects are ongoing and are expected to be completed this year, while 17 more projects may be completed in 2022. (PTV)/AG-rir
