Palace explains comment on economy: Only provinces 'in doldrums'

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday explained President Duterte's remark that the country's economy is "in the doldrums," saying the chief executive was just emphasizing the need to fast-track the implementation of the "Build Build Build" infrastructure program. 

"Doldrums" refers to being in a state of inactivity or stagnation.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said slow progress in the provinces is the reason Duterte is calling for the timely implementation of the "Build Build 
Build" and pushing for federalism. 

"Our economic growth is not evenly distributed. Provinces are lagging behind in terms of progress and projects," Roque said in a press briefing in Cagayan de Oro. 

"That's why the president wants to fast-track the implementation of 'Build, Build, Build' in the provinces and he is calling for charter change towards federalism 
because it will really provide the solution to the uneven distribution of growth," he added. 

Roque urged Congress and the public to support federalism to remove what he described as the "bias" against provinces. 

Last week, Duterte said that the economy is "in the doldrums," citing slow-moving state projects in the provinces and rising interest rates. He said the mega projects in Metro Manila should be implemented on time.

The president issued the statement after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas hiked interest rates for the second time since September to temper rising consumer prices. 

The Philippine economy grew by 6.8 percent in the first quarter, one of the fastest in the region but lower than the government's target of seven to eight percent because of higher commodity prices. 

The government has assured the public that measures are in place to shield the poor from the impact of price spikes. — Alexis Romero