GMA to spend summer launching infra projects

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo said she will be busy spending the summer inaugurating infrastructure projects all over the country that would enable the faster delivery of basic services to the people and attract more investments.

Mrs. Arroyo issued the statement after leading the soft opening of the Stage II, Phase 1 of the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) in Batangas last Wednesday.

She led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the road section and then waved the green flag to signal the start of the convoy that ran through the 19.74 kilometer stretch from the Tambo interchange in Lipa City to the Balagtas interchange in Batangas City.

“My summer plans are to crisscross the archipelago and to inaugurate like what we are doing now, and inspect infrastructure projects because the presidency is an outdoor activity,” she said.

She told reporters: “And if you want to cover me, brings lots of sunblock.”

She said the government is now able to undertake major construction projects due to its favorable fiscal position owing to tax reforms three years ago.

Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said the government has allocated an additional P200 billion in this year’s P1.227 trillion national budget for infrastructure projects.

He said government is taking advantage of the good weather during the summer, adding that some of the projects are meant to protect communities and agricultural areas from typhoons.

Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde, who also chairs the Palace’s Infrastructure Pro-Performance Steering Committee, earlier said the government was expected to complete the construction, rehabilitation and expansion this year of priority infrastructure projects worth over P61 billion.    – Paolo Romero