Cebu traders call for fair share of gov't infra plans

CEBU, Philippines - Although President Benigno Aquino III articulated his administration's vow to push for more infrastructure projects within his term, Cebuano business leaders want to see more of infrastructure projects' implementation here, and the rest of southern Philippines areas.

"I think the President focused more on big infrastructure projects in Metro Manila and Central Luzon. I observed that Visayas and Mindanao areas are not given proportionate share of big projects — the primary requirement to improve the economic conditions," said Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry past president Prudencio Gesta.

Cebuano businessmen believe that amidst the reforms made by Aquino, the latter could have done something more, particularly on the implementation of more infrastructure projects, which will result to a boost in foreign direct investments.

CCCI president Ma. Teresa Chan said that Aquino's last two years in office should focus on major tourism programs so the country can further accelerate into a Tiger Economy by 2030, and fixing the infrastructure not only in the Luzon areas but also in Southern Philippines should be given equal attention.

Tourism capitalist, Jay Aldeguer likewise said that while he believes that most of Aquino's programs were headed to the right direction, there still is that sense of urgency for programs on infrastructure to keep moving, and for rehabilitation plans for those victims of the calamities.

"People are becoming impatient as far as implementation is concerned. The budget for infrastructure and rehabilitation are there, and even approval of PPPs (public-private partnership), but it seems that things are still moving slowly," Aldeguer said.

In his recent SONA,  Aquino reported that the government's budget for infrastructure has "more than doubled" from P200.3 billion in 2011 it went up to P404.3 billion in 2014.

The President also said that his administration was able to sign and award seven PPP projects worth P62.6 billion from December 2011 to June 2014, which is more than the six solicited PPP initiatives inked in the past three administrations.

Meanwhile, in an earlier interview with Senator Francis "Chiz"Joseph Escudero, he said there  is so much that both the private sector and government can collaborate on in PPPs that are not only limited to infrastructure works like road networks and airports.

Escudero noted that the country currently has 47 PPPs in the pipeline with an estimated economic value of P376-billion, roughly USD $8.5-million, or approximately 16 percent of the annual appropriation budget of the national government.

"We should work towards increasing this, so much so, that the bigger chunk of the expenditures will now be performed by the private sector," Escudero told the Cebuano business sector in his recent visit to Cebu.

On the other hand,  CCCI past president Sabino Dapat said that Cebu is on its urgent call for the government to implement infrastructure fix as the province is slowly becoming "unattractive" to investors and tourists.

"Investors need healthy infrastructure support. How can we accelerate and promote inclusive growth with the infrastructure that we have? Everything boils down to the government," said Dapat.

Earlier, World Bank-Philippines senior country manager Karl Kendrick Chua warned the Philippines that instead of focusing on other political issues, the government should focus on fixing the alarming infrastructure problem, and the high cost in doing business.

"This country is experiencing rapid growth. However, research says that it's very hard to sustain the six to seven percent [GDP] growth in the coming years unless that the country will improve in infrastructure and [critical] policies," said Chua. (FREEMAN)