OF all the legacy projects of the outgoing Duterte administration, it is the “Build, Build, Build” program, a joint undertaking of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), which has made a lasting contribution to the nation.
This is because good roads and sturdy bridges, tollways and expressways, railways and flood control projects, airports and ports and the roads leading to these transport terminals, along with farm-to-market roads and tourism-oriented thoroughfares, are fundamental requirements of a nation aspiring for full development.
Tollways leading to key ports such as the Port of Manila, Port of Batangas, the fishing ports in Cavite and Navotas, and the Skyway that leads to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals 1-4, among other places, are accomplishments of the private sector with full support from government.
‘We see in the incoming secretary a genuine desire to make a dent in solving the infrastructure problems of the nation, and to accomplish this objective, his years of previous experience and service in the DPWH will come in handy.’
Several of these major expressways were made by San Miguel Corporation Tollways, led by president and CEO Manuel Bonoan. It must be in recognition of Bonoan’s ability to oversee the construction of these big-ticket projects that President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. chose him to be secretary of the DPWH.
Bonoan is a good choice because he is no stranger to this department, as he served as DPWH undersecretary during the administrations of Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He also became acting secretary for a while under Arroyo.
The incoming secretary promised to continue the ongoing Build, Build, Build projects under the Duterte administration and to finish them at the earliest possible time, so they can be utilized by the people immediately.
He will also look into the pipeline and select vital infrastructure projects especially in the road sector which is the core function of the department, and which will redound to greater support to the nation’s economic growth.
Also to be given priority are projects that will boost the agriculture and tourism industries. Bonoan also plans to “invite the private sector for public-private partnerships to address traffic congestion in line with a goal of providing an efficient, safe, and unimpeded mobility in the years ahead.”
Another area of concern for the next DPWH secretary is the flooding problem particularly in growth centers of Metro Manila, Davao and Cebu, and he intends to revisit the master plans in the country’s major river basins.
We see in the incoming secretary a genuine desire to make a dent in solving the infrastructure problems of the nation, and to accomplish this objective, his years of previous experience and service in the DPWH will come in handy.
