Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez has recommended the strengthening of the Build, Build, Build program to jumpstart the economy of the Philippines from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The infrastructure remains to be the best driver of economic growth because it has a multiplying effect in terms of employment and shared prosperity,” Sec. Dominguez stated.
According to the Build, Build, Build group, they are currently continuing several projects in Metro Manila in anticipation of the coming rainy season. Flood control projects and renovation of EDSA, C5, Roxas Boulevard, and Marcos Highway are part of its priorities. Public and private construction projects such as sewerage projects, water services projects, and digital works will also be permitted to resume in areas under the General Community Quarantine.
“For example, JICA said [that] we are already losing billions of pesos a day, about 3.5 billion a day lang because of traffic congestion, so the moment that we are able to increase market productivity because of infrastructure projects, magkakaroon siya ng (it will have a) net effect in terms of production,” Build, Build, Build group chairperson Anna Mae Lamentillo disclosed.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Sky Way Stage 3, where travel from Makati to Quezon City will only take 20 minutes, and the NLEX Harbor Link connecting Manila and Quezon City will be finished in 2 to 3 months.
The Tarlac Pangasinan Expressway, La Union bypass, Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, Bacolod Economic Highway, Tacloban bypass, Davao River Bridge are also scheduled to resume operations at the soonest time possible.
The DPWH has ensured that strict health protocols will be implemented in all of its projects. – Report from Karen Villanda
