Senator Bong Go filed Senate Bill No. 2114 this month of May which aims to establish a comprehensive framework to accelerate the attainment of the infrastructure flagship programs and projects of the national government, emphasizing that the country’s economic progress depends on the government’s ability to deliver infrastructure projects that will spur growth and development.
It can be recalled that former president Rodrigo Duterte’s flagship infrastructure program, “Build, Build, Build,” sought to accelerate infrastructure development in the country through the implementation of various projects, including highways, railways, airports, seaports, and urban mass transport systems.
Marcos, then committed to continue and expand further implementing the “Build, Build, Build” Program, with a more diversified funding strategy and strategic utilization of Public-Private Partnership with the “Build Better More” program.
To support the president’s initiative, Go proposed the establishment of a more comprehensive framework that will ensure the efficient and effective implementation of infrastructure projects.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. I am happy that President Bongbong Marcos is committed to implement more infrastructure projects through the ‘Build Better More’ program lalo na ‘yung mag-promote ng interconnectivity sa ating bansa,” the legislator previously expressed.
‘Infra projects are also leading generators of jobs.”
“Kung mas mabilis ang daloy ng mga tao, ng mga serbisyo at produkto, mas uunlad po ang ating ekonomiya. Infra projects are also leading generators of jobs, lalo na dahil maraming mga kababayan natin ang nawalan ng trabaho at hanapbuhay noong pandemya. Napakahalaga na magkaroon sila ng trabaho upang maiahon ang kanilang pamilya mula sa krisis na ito,” the lawmaker added.
Under the proposed measure, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), in collaboration with all the concerned local and national government agencies, shall establish and develop a Comprehensive Infrastructure Flagship Programs Development Plan that will provide the road map to facilitate the implementation of the Flagship Programs and Projects.
Programs Development Plan shall be implemented in four phases of six years each, with each phase focusing on mobilizing vital sectors of the economy.
The proposed bill also states that all implementing agencies, local government units, and regional authorities, as coordinated by the NEDA, shall identify and determine high-impact and game-changing specific infrastructure flagship projects that shall promote and highlight the domestic products in abundance in the region or has significant potential for development and economic viability, increase the productive capacity of the region, create employment, and strengthen the investment climate leading to sustainable inclusive growth.
“Investing in infrastructure is one of the keys to achieving economic progress and improving the quality of life of our fellow Filipino people.”
“As your senator, I strongly believe that investing in infrastructure is one of the keys to achieving economic progress and improving the quality of life of our fellow Filipino people. Our government’s infrastructure flagship programs are vital to our country’s development, but we need to accelerate their implementation and ensure that they are carried out efficiently and effectively,” he stressed.
“To achieve this goal, we must establish a comprehensive set of guidelines that will govern the planning, implementation, and monitoring of these programs. These guidelines should cover all aspects of the project cycle, including feasibility studies, design and engineering, procurement, construction, and maintenance,” the senator underscored.
Considering that infrastructure development is a key driver of economic growth and development, Go also highlighted significant contributions of the previous administration as it was able to embark on over 200 airport projects, including new international airports and the rehabilitation of existing airports severely damaged by natural calamities in previous years, such as Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Clark International Airport, and Bohol-Panglao International Airport, among others.
“Ako naman bilang senador ng buong Pilipinas, sisiguraduhin ko po kung ano po ‘yung makakatulong sa mga kababayan natin, lalung-lalo na po sa mga mahihirap. Dapat po ‘yung mga mahihirap ang mga makikinabang parati kung mayroon mang mga programa o proyektong gagawin ang ating gobyerno,” he underlined.
