Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo said she would continue the Build, Build, Build, infrastructure program of the Duterte administration but will put more emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPPs) instead of loans.
Robredo made the statement during the PiliPinas Debate of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Saturday evening, March 19.
During the second round, the nine candidates were asked if they thought President Duterte's infrastructure program was successful and if they would continue it. In response, Robredo said she would continue the Program but would put more emphasis on PPP.
"Itutuloy po natin yung Build, Build, Build pero magbibigay po tayo ng emphasis on PPP instead of ODA (official development assistance) para hindi na utang (We will continue the Build, Build, Build program but we will put more emphasis on PPP instead of ODA so we won't have to borrow money)," she said.
"Pero for PPP to succeed, kailangan pong isiguro natin na inayos natin ang pamahalaan para mas maraming investors ang tumiwala na mag-invest sa atin (But for PPP to succeed, we have to ensure that the government is decent so investors will trust and invest on us)," she added.
The Vice President likewise said her administration would prioritize four areas. She said she would ensure that the infrastructure program would spur rural development by building farm-to-market roads and post-harvest facilities to help farmers and more ports to stimulate the maritime industry.
"Kinakailangan ito makatulong para lumago naman yung mga kanayunan (We need these to help the countryside grow)," she said.
Senator Ping Lacson asked Robredo if farm-to-market roads would be considered big-ticket projects under the Build, Build, Build Program to which the Vice President replied that all infrastructure projects would be considered as under one Program.
Meanwhile, Robredo added that she would address mass transportation woes, noting that in Metro Manila, only 12 percent of the population have their own vehicles.
"'Pag tinignan natin yung budget natin, talagang kulang yung binibigay natin para sa mass transport, bibigyan natin 'yan ng halaga (If we look at our budget, we don't allocate enough funds for mass transport. We need to give it importance)," she said.
Vice President Robredo likewise highlighted the importance of water resource management since the Philippines is running out of potable water.
"Ipa-prioritize natin ito dahil ayaw nating dumating ang panahon na wala na tayong maiinom na tubig (We will make this a priority since we don't want to come at the time when we don't have drinking water)," she said.
Lastly, Robredo said her administration would ensure climate-resilient infrastructures like housing in danger zones and stronger sea walls to protect the people living in those areas.