GOVERNMENT is not completely abandoning its Build, Build, Build infrastructure program and is intending to resume the project once the work stoppage in connection with the Luzon-wide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic is lifted.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, in a radio interview late Tuesday, said President Duterte is only tapping a portion of the funds allotted for the BBB program but did not specify the amount and specific projects affected.
“Kakaunti lang namang bahagi ng Build, Build, Build iyong nailaan natin para sa tulong sa ating mga kababayan…Hindi po natin pupuwedeng bitawan ang Build, Build, Build dahil ito po talaga ang istratehiya natin para makabawi din… iyan pa rin po ang ating istratehiya para makabangon muli ang ating ekonomiya,” he said.
(“Just a small part of the Build, Build, Build is being used to aid our fellowmen…We cannot let go of the Build, Build, Build entirely as it is the strategy that we will use to recover…that will be the strategy that we will use to for the economy to recover,” he said.)
He said there are other items or allocations in the 2020 budget that the President can tap or realign as provided under the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act to strengthen government efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these are the government savings and funds from government-owned or controlled corporations.
Roque said the BBB program has been instrumental in the growth of the economy and expects the country to continue to reap the benefits once the projects resume.
Duterte had ordered the temporary stoppage of several infrastructure programs to use their funds to augment the budget for relief aid being extended to the public as well as government programs to contain the spread of the virus and treat coronavirus patients, among others.
The President, following the resignation of Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia last week, directed Karl Kendrik Chua, acting director general of the National Economic and Development Authority, to oversee the implementation of the BBB program.
