Build, Build, Build: The final push for a lasting legacy

We, at the DoTr, under the leadership and strong resolve of Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, are not wasting a single second in the time left to bring changes in our beloved country

Today, 23 February 2021, marks the 495th day before the term of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte comes to an end. Clearly, the government has come a long way. But there is no denying that a lot of work remains to be finished.

At this point, some are asking: Where are we in the “Build, Build, Build” program, with almost five years of the Duterte administration already passed?

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) and its attached agencies are aware of the time remaining and are determined and committed to roll out the much-needed transport infrastructure projects amid the Covid-19 pandemic. We, at the DoTr, under the leadership and strong resolve of Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, are not wasting a single second in the time left to bring changes in our beloved country.

In the Aviation and Airports sector, the DoTr and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have already completed 121 airport projects since 2016, are working on 114 others, and are set to start on 75 more.

The completed airport projects include the world-class Terminal 2 of the Clark International Airport, which is ready for operation this year, and the newly-rehabilitated runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). We also have ongoing airport projects slated for completion this year. These include the Bicol International Airport and the NAIA Terminal 2 rehabilitation.

In the Railway sector, the DoTr is working nonstop for the delivery of big-ticket projects, such as the country’s first-ever underground railway, the Metro Manila Subway, PNR Clark Phase 1 (Manila to Malolos), MRT-7, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, and the Common Station. Meanwhile, the LRT-2 East Extension is set to start operation by April of this year.

The massive rehabilitation of the MRT-3 is likewise ongoing and is slated for completion by December 2021.

To this day, even with the crippling health crisis brought by the pandemic, the DoTr is unwavering in its resolve to provide Filipinos with enhanced mobility and connectivity across the country. This is our goal.

Lastly, for railways, we have the Mindanao Railway project — the first railway system in Mindanao. The DoTr is targeting to start its partial operations by the second quarter of 2022.

In the Road Sector, the DoTr is gearing toward the enhancement of pedestrian facilities along EDSA with the establishment of covered and elevated walkways through the EDSA Greenways Project. This project is set to commence partial operations by December 2021.

In Cebu, we are pushing for the partial operability of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu BRT) within the year by following a 24/7 construction work schedule.

In Davao, a modern high-priority bus system will be established through the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, which we likewise expect to commence partial operations this 2021.

In the Maritime sector, the DoTr and Philippine Ports Authority are fast-tracking the completion of 104 port projects to add to the 416 port projects we have completed since the Duterte administration took over in 2016.

When President Duterte took office, he gave a clear marching order to “make Filipino lives comfortable.” With this, the Department of Transportation and its attached agencies rose to the challenge. To this day, even with the crippling health crisis brought by the pandemic, the DoTr is unwavering in its resolve to provide Filipinos with enhanced mobility and connectivity across the country. This is our goal.

With the challenging and crucial times that we now face, your DoTr is making sure that these challenges are used to reimagine the future. But, as we recalibrate and adapt to these changes, we remain steadfast in our goal to provide a comfortable life for all.