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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Amazing' indeed: Villar says over 26,000 km of roads built, improved since 2016

'Amazing' indeed: Villar says over 26,000 km of roads built, improved since 2016

Published Apr 26, 2021 05:37 pm

No wonder President Duterte thinks Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar is "amazing".

(DPWH Secretary Mark Villar/ Photo screengrab from PCOO Facebook page)

Villar, the Duterte administration's chief builder, said during the pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) forum Monday, April 26 that a total of 26,494 kilometer of roads in the country have either been constructed and improved in the last five years.

Villar said that the figure represents roads all over the country that were constructed, maintained, widened, upgraded, and rehabilitated since 2016.

From 2016 to 2019, a total of 23,657 kilometers of roads were built and improved by the DPWH. In the year 2020 amid a raging pandemic, an estimated,000 kilometers of roads were constructed and improved, the agency said.

On top of this, a total of 5,555 kilometers of bridges have been constructed, upgraded, and rehabilitated since 2016.

Despite the implementation of various levels of community restrictions in relation to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Villar expressed optimism that key infrastructure projects under the "Build, Build, Build" program will still be delivered on time.

“The construction is all systems go. We're still pursuing our targets whether there's COVID or not. In other words we are prepared for this new normal and we expect that the Build, Build , Build will continue as planned,” the secretary said.

The infrastructure chief is also confident that once the current administration is over, the country will continue to reap the benefits of the Duterte-era road projects.

“The Infrastructure Cluster will continue exerting all efforts to ensure that the Build, Build, Build program is implemented to its fullest extent,” Villar vowed.

“While the cluster’s job is not yet ‘mission accomplished,’ it is with full confidence that I take pride in the cluster’s accomplishments over the last five years. Without a doubt, the achievements of the cluster will provide a good foundation for the next administration and will support the economy once it reopens without restrictions,” he added.

So impressed with Villar's accomplishments was President Duterte that he described him as amazing in one of the latter's public briefings last week.

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