Expressing his support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to continue and expand the “Build, Build, Build” Program of the Duterte administration, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go on Wednesday filed a measure seeking to establish a comprehensive framework to accelerate the implementation of the national government’s infrastructure flagship programs and projects.
For a more diversified funding strategy and strategic utilization of Public-Private Partnership with the “Build Better More” program of the Marcos administration, Go said Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2114, which emphasizes that the country’s economic progress depends on the national government’s ability to deliver infrastructure projects.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Pangulong (I am thankful to President) 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 (especially the promotion of the interconnectivity in our country),” he said.
“Kung mas mabilis ang daloy ng mga tao, ng mga serbisyo at produkto, mas uunlad po ang ating ekonomiya (If people, services, and products can move swiftly, we will have a better economy). Infra projects are also leading generators of jobs, lalo na dahil maraming mga kababayan natin ang nawalan ng trabaho at hanapbuhay noong pandemya (especially because a lot of our people lost their jobs and livelihood during the pandemic), he added.
If passed into law, SBN 2114 will give mandate to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), in collaboration with all the concerned local and national government agencies, to 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 which will be implemented in four phases in six years each.
It also states that all implementing agencies, local government units, and regional authorities, as coordinated by the NEDA, shall jointly 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.
“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,” Go said.
To achieve this goal, the lawmaker said a comprehensive set of guidelines that will govern the planning, implementation, and monitoring of these programs should be established covering all aspects of the project cycle, including feasibility studies, design and engineering, procurement, construction, and maintenance. (PNA)
