"This huge appropriation has been made possible by the increased collection of taxes through more efficient ways," said Belmonte as he formally awarded the contracts to the projects to successful bidders. The biddings for the projects were held at the Quezon City Hall in May and June.
"This of course will be translated into the improved delivery of basic services," the mayor noted.
Early this year, Belmonte created a committee on infrastructure development to conduct researches on all current, completed and planned infrastructure projects in the city, whether funded by the local or national government.
The committee was tasked to identify which projects would be given top priority. After much study, the committee named 30 areas that urgently need attention. These include road repairs and construction, flood control and drainage systems, water supply, school and national buildings.
Belmonte said of the P700 million, P200 million came from the fund allotted during his term as Speaker of the House of Representatives and P500 million from the city government’s coffers.
The Quezon City Hall has awarded P500 million worth of contracts involving 129 projects. Of these projects, 58 involved road repairs and construction, 42 involved school building programs, and 29 involved the rehabilitation of the city’s drainage and flood control systems.