Duterte proud of governement infrastructure programs

DAVAO, Philippines — President Duterte intends to “parade” the achievements of his administration in terms of infrastructure amid criticisms he is getting from the opposition.

Duterte’s administration continued the projects started by the previous government but said they had to improve and expedite them.

Two examples of the projects inaugurated by Duterte and his officials recently but were identified and started during the past administration were the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange or PITx – previously called Southwest Integrated Transport System or ITS – and the eco-friendly Bohol-Panglao International Airport.

“But after all, you elected me as a worker…in the national government. Now look… at our achievements. And by no means… I will parade by December… But in November I will keep on having opening ceremonies,” the President said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Panguil Bay bridge in Tubod, Lanao del Norte on Thursday, probably not realizing it was almost the end of November.

Upon  assumption into office in 2016, the President initiated the Build, Build, Build program, which seeks to accelerate infrastructure spending and develop industries that will lead to robust growth, create jobs and improve the lives of Filipinos. 

With infrastructure, considered to be the country’s Achilles’ heel, the Duterte administration has projected public spending to reach P8 trillion to P9 trillion from 2017 to 2022.

After the groundbreaking ceremony for the Panguil Bay Bridge, the President proceeded to Ozamiz City for the inauguration of a new airport in the locality.

“You wait until (Public Works and Highways) Secretary (Mark) Villar presents our Build, Build, Build program. The seemingly endless roads and bridges, those are the product of the Build, Build, Build. But then the opposition cannot see anything good. No matter what you do, there’s always something bad about it,” the President claimed. 

The government has announced the various projects under the Build, Build, Build Program that are expected to promote development.

“I have instructed that money of the people should be distributed evenly to all parts of the country,” the President said.