By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday told the Filipino community in Brunei Darussalam that a new and upgraded airport awaits them when they return to the Philippines.
Speaking before the Filipino community in Brunei, President Marcos said that although the rehabilitation project of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will take 15 years to finish, initial improvements may be felt as early as next year.
The P170.6 billion project is expected to improve NAIA’s passenger terminals, airside facilities, and enable intermodal transfers within the airport as it has garnered negative reviews from tourists and passengers.
“Lahat po iyan ay bubuoin po natin para hindi na po nahihirapan ang ating mga bisita at ang ating mga balikbayan,” Marcos said.
“Pagbalik po ninyo sa Pilipinas, we hope to also welcome you to a new and upgraded Manila International Airport,” he added.
The President emphasized that infrastructure remains a “very high priority” because it helps drive growth and generate employment opportunities.
He cited the administration will keep on improving the sectors of agriculture and renewable energy through attracting more investment pledges from other countries.
“I’ve said it before, uulitin ko na. We will build, and we will build better, we will build more!”
Meanwhile, the President also urged the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to try investing in the Philippines by putting up their own businesses at home as the country’s economy is now “looking up”.
“Alam po natin na kapag masigla ang ekonomiya, maayos ang kabuhayan. Things are looking up for the economy,” he said.
Marcos also reiterated his vision that “working abroad will become only a career choice and not the only option,” sharing that jobs are being created in the Philippines by investments reaching P1.26 trillion in 2023.
He said the P1.26 trillion in investments surpassed the initial optimism of the government when it set a P1.151-trillion target.
“To far exceed this mark, by reaching PHP 1.26 trillion, is a clear testament to the growing confidence of investors in fostering their businesses’ growth within the Philippines. Upon full operations, the projects are expected to produce 49,030 jobs for Filipinos,” he added. – avds
