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Manila Bulletin devider Trade & Energy devider Comprehensive infra masterplan pushed

Comprehensive infra masterplan pushed

Published Aug 25, 2023 08:51 am

The Philippines, which is 30 years behind its ASEAN neighbors in terms of infrastructure development, should the Philippine Comprehensive Infrastructure Masterplan that seeks to develop a blueprint for long-term and quality infrastructure projects in the country, Senator JV Ejercito said.

Speaking at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) organized Legislative Talk Series, Ejercito said that the masterplan that he has been proposing will serve as a roadmap for the continuity and sustainability of infrastructure projects even with the change of leadership.

“This will become a masterplan of all plans and will be complimentary with the local government units (LGUs). We should work hand in hand for our country to move forward,” Ejercito said, adding that is hopeful the bill will be included in the priority measures of the Marcos administration next year.

PCCI President George T. Barcelon said that it’s about time that the country focuses its vision on building long-term, high-quality, and interconnected infrastructure projects noting that other countries are moving quite fast in this area.

“We shouldn’t just build but we also need to ensure that construction of these projects will all be maintained and would have a life span of at least 10 years or so,” Barcelon said.

He also proposed an institutionalized scorecard or tracking system where both private and public sectors can check the progress of the projects.

Meanwhile, PCCI Area Vice President for North Luzon Gregoria Simbulan stressed the need to pass the Comprehensive Land Use Plan to effectively implement developmental and sustainable projects that would address the economic, social, and environmental concerns of the various localities.

“North Luzon is frequently hit by typhoons and other natural calamities. The passage of CLUP is long overdue. I believe it would certainly contribute to the risk reduction efforts of communities and help them become more resilient to environmental hazards while at the same time creating more inclusive and sustainable projects,” Simbulan said.

In terms of foreign direct investments (FDIs), the Philippines has been overtaken by Vietnam. As of 2022, the country ranked 5th with only $9.199 billion compared to Vietnam’s $17.899 billion while Singapore topped the list with $141.187 billion in total FDIs.

“These countries invested in their infrastructures in the early 80s and 90s. We do not want to be left behind again so we really need to have a masterplan that whoever sits as president, they may have their own pet projects, but when we talk of infrastructure we have a blueprint to follow,” Ejercito said. (Ma. Joselie Coching Garcia)

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