‘Gov’t projects not meant to boost LP bets’ bid’

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson yesterday denied insinuations that the implementation of numerous infrastructure projects this year is meant to boost the chances of candidates of the Liberal Party (LP) in the May elections.

During the groundbreaking ceremony for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Harbor Link project in Valenzuela City, Singson told the crowd that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will implement P129-billion worth of locally funded infrastructure projects this year.

He said the projects had been planned since last year, and were not intended to help in the campaign of administration candidates.

Singson said that last year, the DPWH only implemented P82.8-billion worth of infrastructure projects.

He said that the department has to hold the bidding for and awarding of projects before the ban on public works starts by the end of the month.

“We have to spend our budget within the year because we are obligated by our friends in Congress that if we will not use the funds and implement the project, we will lose it,” he said.

Singson also said that part of the initiative to increase government spending on infrastructure is based on the results of the Philippine Development Forum held in Davao City last week.

He said that there was a consensus during the forum that investment on Philippine infrastructure is below the defined level and as compared with ASEAN countries.

“We failed in our commitment last year. That’s why we agreed to increase investments on infrastructure from 2.6 percent of our gross domestic product last year to five percent by 2016,” he said.