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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOTr: Big-ticket infra projects possibly exempted from election ban

DOTr: Big-ticket infra projects possibly exempted from election ban

Published Jan 8, 2025 03:55 am

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista is confident that the upcoming election ban on government projects will not affect the agency’s big-ticket infrastructure projects.

 

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DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista speaks to the media during a Palace press briefing. (RTVM screenshot)

 

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Jan. 7, during a Palace press briefing after the first full Cabinet meeting with President Marcos this year, the official assured that the DOTr can push through with its activities and projects as these have started long before the election ban.
 

“Iyong election ban natin (Our election ban) is in a few days. You know, most of the projects of the Department of Transportation are to be implemented long-term. So, we will continue to implement the program,” he said.
 

“Siguro hindi naman kami maku-cover (Maybe we will not be covered by the) election ban because we have started all activities/projects already so we don’t think the election ban will affect the implementation of any of our projects in DOTr,” Bautista added.
 

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier set the election period for the May 12, 2025 midterm elections to be from Jan. 12 to June 11, while the campaign period is set from Feb. 11 to May 10.
 

But the Omnibus Election Code, or Batas Pambansa Bilang 881, bans the release, disbursement, or expenditure and the construction and delivery of materials for public works 45 days before Election Day. This year, that falls on March 28.
 

Last month, the poll body said it has exempted 48 infrastructure projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center from the ban.
 

Among the projects were the construction of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Cancer Center, rehabilitation of the Manila Central Post Office, Metro Rail Transit 3 operation and maintenance, the Edsa Busway Project, Metro Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway PPP, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake ferry, Boracay Bridge, the National Single Window integrated facilitation program, and the expansion, upgrading, and operations of the Iloilo and Kalibo airports.
 

Heads of agencies may ask for exemption from the ban by submitting a list of requirements for the projects that will start before March 28 and those undertaken by contract through public bidding or by negotiated contract held or awarded before March 28.
 

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