Next gov’t lays out ambitious infra program

MANILA, Philippines – The next administration is planning to implement an infrastructure program which would cover both government-funded and public-private partnership (PPP) projects within two to three years, according to the incoming Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Public works secretary- designate Mark Villar told reporters the new administration intends to undertake an ambitious and comprehensive infrastructure program which would cover traffic management, disaster management, as well as support the agriculture and tourism sectors.

With traffic being among the biggest problems of the country, Villar said he is working with incoming transport secretary Arthur Tugade as early to tackle the issue.

“Secretary Tugade and I are both coordinating and we’re hoping (to see) improvements in the next two to three years,” he said.

To address congestion, Villar said the incoming administration intends to increase spending for infrastructure by making it equivalent to five percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

“Our traffic is a function of our underspending on infrastructure. So now that our infrastructure will go up, I have a feeling, I think we’d be able to start minimizing our traffic problem,” he said.

The incoming administration’s infrastructure program would take into account existing plans such as the transport plan for Metro Manila based on a study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with the Department of Transportation and Communications, DPWH, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and other relevant agencies.

Under the program, Villar said the incoming administration will undertake government-funded projects as well as pursue PPP projects.

To address congestion on roads, the program would involve implementation of road widening projects as well as construction of bridges.

Villar said among the projects to be undertaken are the widening of the C-5 Kalayaan flyover, as well as construction of Edsa-Taft flyover, Katipunan flyover and a bridge from Fort Bonifacio in Taguig until Kapitolyo in Pasig.

“The directive is to hit the ground running,” he said noting the aim is to be able to take big steps towards solving the traffic problem within the term of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte.