‘Palace says there are massive BBB projects across the country’
PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE’S flagship infrastructure program “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) was a dismal failure, according to Senator Franklin Drilon, who claimed that only nine out of 75 projects under construction are halfway into Duterte’s term.
“It is sad to say that the BBB program of the administration is a dismal failure. Out of the 75 flagship projects that were proposed at the start of the administration, exactly nine started construction. That is only 2% of the total,” he told reporters.
“We only have two years and a half left in this administration; I don’t think any substantial progress insofar as that program is concerned will be achieved. I repeat, the execution is simply dismal,” he added.
But a report by GMA News quoted Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate finance committee, as saying that according to the economic managers, 12 projects would be completed by 2020, and additional 17 projects more by 2021, and 26 other projects by 2022, and 43 will be completed beyond 2022.
Drilon then asked what projects will start next year and in 2021. Angara could not answer him directly. “I am asking for specifics but they are giving me numbers,” said Angara, referring to the economic managers.
He said the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works and Highways are the worst performers in terms of the ability to disburse. “I do not know if there is still time. Suddenly, after putting across 75 flagship projects at the start of the administration, suddenly they’ll review and remove some. If simply on information, which they could not provide us, you can imagine the capacity to actually implement the project,” he said.
Massive Projects
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo also defended the BBB program and comparing Duterte’s massive projects to the past Aquino administration. “One must admire the effrontery of Sen. Frank Drilon for saying that the Build Build Build program of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is a dismal failure, coming from someone who was one of the pillars of the previous administration that has a zero accomplishment in its infrastructure program.”
“Such chutzpah is matched only by his obvious ignorance on the accomplishments of the present administration. Senator Drilon is either too lethargic to get his facts straight or is unable to contain the opposition’s penchant to foist false narratives,” he said.
Panelo also elaborated on many BBB projects across the country.
“Three years after President Duterte took office, Secretary of Public Works and Highways Mark Villar reported the completion of 9,845 kilometers of road, 2,709 bridges, 4,536 flood control projects, 82 evacuation centres, and 71,803 classrooms.”
“The acceleration of infrastructure development remains part of the core of the Philippine Development Plan, based on the principle that infrastructure supports the country’s overall socioeconomic development. While projected timelines for the completion of key infrastructure projects may have been affected by the delay in the passage of the 2019 Budget, this Administration hit the ground running once it was approved by both houses of Congress,” he said.
Panelo said Duterte remains committed in his vision to enable Filipinos to enjoy a “matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay.” (Mindanao Examiner. With additional reporting from GMA News.)
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