Mindanao Times

…as Drilon hit over claim vs ‘Build, Build, Build’

-

-- Malacañang on Tuesday quashed the claim of Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon that the Duterte administra­tion’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastruc­ture program is a “dismal failure.”

Presidenti­al Spokespers­on Salvador Panelo described as “baseless” the lawmaker’s statement that only nine of the current administra­tion’s 75 flagship infrastruc­ture projects have started constructi­on.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte’s administra­tion has many key infrastruc­ture accomplish­ments, compared to the past government led by former president Benigno Aquino III.

“Senator Frank, look at the administra­tion you previously belonged. Six years, not a single infrastruc­ture na nagawa. Malayong-malayo sa dami [nang nagawa ng administra­syon ngayon] (Not a single infrastruc­ture was completed during the six-year term of the past administra­tion. It’s far from the current administra­tion’s accomplish­ments),” Panelo said in a Palace press briefing.

“It’s baseless. Eh marami

ngang ginagawa ang administra­syon, hindi lang nine (The administra­tion has started so many infrastruc­ture projects, not just nine),” he added. Around PHP9 trillion will be earmarked for around 75 bigticket infrastruc­ture projects that are expected to be implemente­d until the end of Duterte’s term in 2022. Drilon needs to ‘educate’ himself To dispute Drilon’s claim, Panelo gave updates on select bigticket infrastruc­ture projects of the current administra­tion. The Palace official said that under Duterte’s watch, the constructi­on of Light Rail Transit (LRT) - Line 1 Cavite extension, LRT-2 East Extension, Metro Manila Railway (MRT) - Common Station, Metro Manila Subway, Philippine National Railway (PNR) Clark (Phase 1), Mindanao Railway, Sangley Airport, and Clark Airport Expansion has already commenced. Panelo also noted that there is an ongoing rehabilita­tion of MRT-3 and Ninoy Aquino Internatio­nal Airport. He also emphasized that there is an ongoing right of way acquisitio­n for PNR Clark (Phase 2) and PNR Bicol. Meantime, PNR Calamba and Subic-Clark Railway will have to go through bidding process, Panelo said. Panelo also mentioned the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) completion of 9,845 kilometers of road, 7,909 bridges, 4,536 flood control projects, 82 evacuation centers, and 71,803 classrooms, halfway through Duterte’s six-year-term. “So we have so many projects,” the Palace official said. “Kailangan tingnan niya ‘yung mga binasa ko para (He should look at what I’ve read so) he will educate himself. Kulang siguro ang informatio­n niya (Perhaps, he lacks informatio­n),” he added, referring to Drilon. DPWH chief praised Panelo said Duterte was even impressed with DPWH Secretary Mark Villar who oversees the implementa­tion of the infrastruc­ture projects. He said Villar received praise from the President for showing an excellent performanc­e. “Puring-puri nga si Mark Villar ni Presidente eh. Magaling. Madaming nagawa. Batang-bata pa (Mark Villar is earning praises from the President. He’s doing a great job. He has done many accomplish­ments at a young age),” the Palace official said. “The fact remains na maraming (that there are many infrastruc­ture) projects [under Duterte’s leadership],” he added.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines