By Rizal Obanil
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar says that infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program will continue but they will have to adjust the timetable.
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (ALBERTO GARCIA / MANILA BULLETIN)
Villar in an interview over CNN Philippines Monday said they will have to adjust the timetable for such projects because of the threat posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
As an inadvertent effect of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), all commercial activities, including infrastructure projects, had to be temporarily put on hold to prevent COVID-19 from spreading rapidly.
Social distancing measures had to be put in place and National Capital Region (NCR) residents have been asked to suspend their normal routine to avoid the risk of being exposed to the dreaded disease and, in turn, contribute to the spread of the virus.
Villar, however, said: “The big-ticket projects are still a go. We have not given up on any projects.”
Despite the extension of the ECQ until May 15, certain essential commercial activities, including construction, will be allowed, giving the DPWH an opportunity to push through with the infrastructure projects under the said flagship program.
The Duterte administration, through one of its flagship programs, vowed in 2016 to initiate if not complete infrastructure projects that will help ease the burden of Filipinos, especially commuters who have had to bear the burden of dealing with horrendous traffic in their daily commute.