Photo courtesy of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
NEW CLARK CITY, Pampanga – Several days before President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Jr. delivers his 3rd State of the Nation Address, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) conducted a three-day “Build Better More” Infrastructure Forum, to showcase the progress of legacy projects and achievements in infrastructure flagship projects under the current administration.
The three-day forum was a comprehensive platform to promote the administration’s “Build Better More” Infrastructure program, to broaden the understanding of government communicators and media practitioners of the strategic framework and status and timeline of the infrastructure development policies and programs of the present administration.
The forum was participated in by more than 40 journalists from the tri-media sector and more than 70 government communicators from various departments and their attached agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations.
Among the departments which participated were the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, Department of Agrarian Reforms, Department of Health, and Philippine National Police.
Among the GOCCs were Clark International Airport Corp., Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Bases Conversion Development Authority, Philippine Retirement Authority, and Clark Development Corporation.
On July 11, DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral said the department aims “provide higher quality of high standard highway network for faster, safer, more comfortable, more reliable, and environmentally-friendly means of road transport, which supports national goals of rapid, inclusive, and sustained economic growth of the country.”
Undersecretary Cabral said the total indicative project cost of the projects is estimated to be Php 9,554.95.
Among these projects are the Maharlika Highway or Daang Maharlika (N1) Improvement Program, TPLEX Extension, Central Luzon Link Expressway Project, Phase I, CLLEX Phase II, and the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge.
DoTr Undersecretary Timothy John R. Batan said under the leadership of Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, the department aims to “transform the Philippine transport industry and elevate it to global standards.”
Echoing Secretary Bautista, the undersecretary said the department’s mantra is “comfortable, accessible, safe, and affordable transport service throughout the country.”
Ma. Cynthia C. Hernandez, executive director of the Public and Private Partnership Center, said the PPP Center “facilitates the implementation of the country’s PPP Program and serves as the central coordinating and monitoring agency for all PPP projects.”
NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the Philippines “continues to perform as among the fastest-growing Asian economies.”
Despite several domestic and external headwinds, the country’s gross domestic product and gross national income have grown comparatively fast in 2023 and in the 1st quarter of 2024, the NEDA secretary said.
Assistant Secretary of Budget and Management Romeo Matthew Balanquit said the administration “aims to reverse the underinvestment in infrastructure through the Build-Better-More Program.”
“Higher spending on construction have become a source of government spending growth,” Assistant Secretary Balanquit said.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bingcang told the forum that the New Clark City about PHP143.22 billion worth of investments have been signified by private sector investors upon the finalization of the masterplan in 2017. About PHP15 billion have been already “infused,” the BCDA chief said.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Aliño disclosed that a P2-billion housing project is being eyed to be built within the SBM area, which will dramatically improve the living conditions of about 1,300 low-income families within the the SBM area.
He said the planned housing project will give these families decent and safe housing units safely and conveniently located near employment centers.
Clark Development Corp. Vice President Teresito Tiotuyco said his agency has four major projects that will push further the government’s drive to promote Clark as an important hub for investments and business.
CDC Vice President Tiotuyco said that among the projects is Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center, which is already being constructed.
The construction of the National Museum of the Philippines-Clark is underway while the Clark Cultural and Convention Center is undergoing its conceptual design phase.
Clark International Airport Corp. President and CEO Arrey Perez said the construction of Clark International Airport is expected to transform the country into an international events destination.
“We can be ‘Taylor Swift-ready’ by 2028,” Perez said, alluding to the internationally famous singer who has toured Japan and Singapore, prompting Filipinos to fly to those countries to watch her. (PCO)
