Was Build, Build, Build successful? Presidential bets weigh in
MANILA, Philippines — The Duterte administration poured another trillion pesos into infrastructure projects under its flagship Build, Build, Build project for 2022.
But with his administration soon ending, one question now is this: Will the next administration maintain Build, Build, Build?
Here's what presidential bets had to say about the Duterte administration's flagship infrastructure program.
Ka Leody de Guzman
The labor leader had a scathing response to the question of whether or not his administration would continue the project.
"This worthless government didn't focus on the needs of the people, and we drowned in debt. That's what I think of Build, Build, Build," he said in Filipino.
He said that despite the supposed gains claimed by the government, education and healthcare leave much to be desired.
"Our people are hungry, many are struggling, and the price of rice, gas, and energy has not been resolved," he said.
Sen. Ping Lacson
Lacson answered the question by pointing out that out of 118 projects, only 12 projects were fully accomplished. However, he said, the project would continue if he were elected president.
"Let the people judge if it was successful. Will we continue it? Yes, but let's do it better; we'll boost it, and it should be bolder," he said in mixed Filipino and English.
He also pointed out that foreign and domestic national debt stands at P12.03 trillion, adding that the contracts that have already been signed should be continued.
"It's time to shift from Build, Build, Build to public-private partnerships," he said.
"In my opinion, Build, Build, Build is the legacy of the present administration. Let's not leave it behind...let's think of other ways."
Jose Montemayor
The lawyer and doctor was wary about praising the project, pointing to the loans it had to take out and how open the door was for corruption in those transactions.
"It will affect future generations. Admittedly, this Build, Build, Build was one of the good things the administration thought of. But we need a watertight process to prevent corruption," he said.
"But this is a good project and we have to continue it."
Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno
The Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer, who has admitted to courting President Rodrigo Duterte for his endorsement, said that Build, Build, Build was successful but implied that the pandemic derailed its progress.
He vowed to continue the project by building "more housing, better schools, more hospitals, more post-harvest facilities, [and] more sources of energy around the country."
"These are the things we are going to focus on; people first," he said in Filipino.
Norberto Gonzales
The former Defense Secretary said that "infrastructures affect the behavior of people and societies" as he said that he would "take another look at the direction and rationale" behind the project.
"We'll look if Build, Build, Build looks at cars and the water equally and if it assists the means of transportation equally to help our people," he said in Filipino.
"Before I say it was okay, we'll examine it first," he also said.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao praised the project but said that to call it successful would have to mean its projects were finished.
"It's a really good project because infrastructure and development is part of economic growth...we'll continue building houses nationwide if we're elected," he said in Filipino.
Pacquiao also highlighted regional development in Mindanao, pointing to his own upbringing in poverty.
"That's the only way to solve the chaos there. We need development in Mindanao," he said.
"I've lived in the mountains. I've been with our Muslim brothers and I understand their calls, it's like they've been left behind."
Vice President Leni Robredo
Robredo, too, said she would continue Build, Build, Build but with an emphasis on public-private partnerships.
"For PPP to succeed, we need to make sure we fix the government to make sure investors trust us. But we'll prioritize a number of areas," she said in Filipino.
She added that she would infrastructure that spurs rural development, including farm-to-market routes and post-harvest facilities.
"We'll also prioritize water resource management [and] climate-resilient infrastructure, especially in danger zones," she also said.
Robredo was also questioned by Lacson, who asked if the farm-to-market routes would be a big ticket project under Build, Build, Build.
The Vice President said her government would not be calling it Build, Build, Build, saying all infra projects would just be classified as infrastructure programs.
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