The first thing that comes to mind when talking about infrastructure are the roads, bridges, airports, railways, school buildings, hospitals, etc. Infrastructure, however, encompasses more than just concrete, steel, and stone. Its role is very vital, as it influences our daily lives, enhances the way we move, changes the way goods are delivered and exchanged, and affects the performance of our economy.

In fact, it can be said that a country can easily be gauged by the presence — or absence — of key infrastructure projects. 

This administration is aware of the role of infrastructure to boost the economy, from the jobs that will be generated when these will be built, to the long-term benefit that future generations may derive from a finished project. Thus, the President has been going around the country inspecting and inaugurating some of these big-ticket projects, collectively part of the administration's “Build Better More” program. 

Early this week, an arterial road bypass project was inaugurated, reducing travel time from Balagtas to San Rafael, Bulacan, from an hour to just 24 minutes.

“The inauguration of (the project) is a call to action, and a call to work tirelessly toward the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ that we envision — a Philippines that shines brightly on the world stage, a Philippines where every Filipino’s dreams are realized,” the President said in a statement. “This project is an important step toward the realization of our dream of a better Philippines that is filled with hope, brimming with optimism, and teeming with boundless opportunities.”

Infrastructure development, particularly in transportation, is “crucial to the sustained progress of the Philippine economy because it improves the movement of people, goods, and services;” it also “enhances the efficiency of the logistics and transportation systems and facilitates the journey toward lasting prosperity.”

The President reported that there are “a total of 197 infrastructure flagship projects, which include transportation connectivity projects, in various stages of development.” With this, Marcos urged the DPWH to “ensure the timely completion of all major projects, particularly those outside Metro Manila, to bolster regional development.”

Earlier this month, the President was present during the groundbreaking rites for the construction of the Ortigas and Shaw Boulevard stations of the Metro Manila Subway Project at Metrowalk Commercial Complex in Pasig City.

In it, the President said his administration is eyeing to pursue “grander” and “more ambitious” infrastructure projects to create jobs, improve connectivity, and provide convenience to Filipino commuters.

“Let the breaking ground of this subway system signal our intention to the world to pursue even grander dreams and more ambitious endeavors that will bring comfort and progress to our people all over the country,” he said. “Be assured that this administration will take the lead in identifying, pursuing, and implementing projects as part of the Build Better More Infrastructure Agenda that we have laid out.”

All these infrastructure projects are welcome developments, but all these do not magically appear overnight. The entire population will have to endure tremendous inconveniences and disruptions, starting from the traffic generated within the periphery of these projects due to road closures. But all these are “birth pains” for a more sustainable, future-ready, and commuter-friendly metropolis. It is therefore crucial that the concerned agencies adhere to their deadlines and deliver quality infrastructure projects that will endure — and be useful — for generations to come.