Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark A. Villar believes that the way to achieve economic recovery after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is to carry on with the high-impact infrastructure projects launched under "Build, Build, Build."

"The way to post-pandemic economic recovery is to push for the implementation and completion of high-impact projects in the pipeline," Villar said during the department's 123rd founding anniversary Wednesday, June 23.

Build, Build, Build, is the Duterte administration's flagship infrastructure modernization program. It has a total budget of P8 trillion spanning President Duterte's six-year term, which will end in 2022.

The secretary stressed that the "DPWH is still at the forefront of recovery, intensifying even more our infrastructure development to stimulate the economy" even as the country gradually recuperates from the negative effects of the public health crisis.

“As restrictions continue to ease, we are confident that the Build, Build, Build program will be able to deliver short and long-term impact from generating jobs to enabling private businesses and individuals to produce goods and services more efficiently,” Villar noted.

The agency celebrated its founding anniversary with a thanksgiving mass, which was followed by an awarding ceremony for loyalty awardees and compulsory retirees.

During the virtual anniversary program, the DPWH chief also lauded the sense of camaraderie exemplified by the agency workers in delivering service to Filipinos amid the pandemic.

Aside from being the lead agency in the Build, Build, Build efforts, the DPWH has also lent its hand in the response against the pandemic by constructing modular hospitals, quarantine facilities, and offsite dormitories for healthcare workers.