The government has committed to push forward the implementation of high-impact infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs), according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
During the first Build, Build, Build (BBB) inter-agency forum, Roger Mercado, DPWH acting secretary, expressed confidence towards the sustainability and continuity of priority flagship projects which will be the foundation of economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Emil Sadain, DPWH undersecretary and designated chief implementer of the flagship projects under the BBB program, said the forum was a venue t come up with a comprehensive report of the accomplishments on IFPs under BBB as well as the scale-up plans on infrastructure development for the remainder of the term of President Duterte and the upcoming change of administration.
Among the big-ticket projects under DPWH are Panguil Bay Bridge, Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Link and the Central Luzon Link Expressway.
Sadain also spearheaded the review on the progress of various IFPs implemented by several government agencies to ensure their expeditious execution and timely completion.
These agencies include the Department of Transportation, Department of Health, National Irrigation Administration, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Local Water Utilities Administration, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Toll Regulatory Board and the Philippine Statistics Authority.
“As we gear up for a better approach in sustaining the implementation of infrastructure flagship projects, we seek to identify and address implementation and capacity gaps particularly in challenging environments,” said Sadain.
To establish proper coordination and practical collaboration among agencies, the Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority and DPWH participated in the forum held last December 14 to 15.
Other than the pandemic and adverse weather condition as among the drawbacks in project implementation, other bumps identified at the forum include regulatory environment issues, delayed procurement, difficulty in acquiring right of way, insufficient funds and delayed financing approval.
