Palace: Emergency powers for `infra projects’ good idea

MANILA -- The proposed emergency powers to hasten the implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program is a good idea, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement as he welcomed Albay Rep. Joey Salceda’s filing of House Bill 5456 that seeks to grant special powers to Duterte to adopt a national policy that will fast-track the implementation of flagship infrastructure projects.

Panelo, in a press conference with Palace reporters, said the emergency powers would address several issues that are causing delays in the implementation of the infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program.

“Sa tingin ko, maganda ‘yung kay Congressman Salceda. Kasi nga one of the reasons why bumabagal ang projectskasi ‘yung right of way, nagkakaproblema (I think, Congressman Salceda’s proposal is a good idea. One of the reasons why the projects are experiencing delays is because of the problem concerning the right of way),” Panelo said.

“’Yung mga owner, ayaw pumayag. ‘Yung iba, nagti-TRO (temporary restraining order). Pero kung may powers na, direderecho ang trabaho (Some owners disagree and even seek a TRO. But with emergency powers, the implementation of the projects will not be hampered),” he added.

Around PHP9 trillion will be poured into all the

proposed infrastructures under the Duterte government’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

Salceda filed HB 5457 after Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon claimed that the current administration’s infrastructure program is a “dismal failure” since only nine of the initial 75 flagship projects have started construction.

The House measure aims to grant special powers to Duterte, in an effort to speed up the implementation of the “Build, Build Build” program on or before 2022.

Panelo said he has yet to ask the President with regard to his reaction to Salceda’s proposal.

But Panelo was convinced that Salceda’s bill would boost the administration’s infrastructure program.

“I will ask the President .... Hindi ko pa siya nakakausap (I have yet to talk to him regarding the proposal). I’ll ask him,” Panelo said.

On Wednesday, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and chief executive officer Vivencio Dizon said around 38 out of the revised list of 100 key infrastructure projects are expected to be completed by 2022 while 22 are “partially operational or substantially completed” and the remaining 40 would be finished “beyond 2020.”

Dizon, who also acts as Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects, noted that 35 flagship infrastructure projects are underway, 32 will commence construction in the next six to eight months, 21 are in the advanced stages of government approval, and the remaining 12 are in advanced stages of feasibility study.(PNA)