PCO holds 3-day 'Build Better More' Infrastructure Forum

NEW CLARK CITY, Tarlac – The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) conducted a three-day "Build Better More" Infrastructure Forum, to showcase the progress of legacy projects and achievements in infrastructure flagship projects under the current administration.

The three-day forum held last week was a comprehensive platform to promote the administration's "Build Better More" Infrastructure program and broaden the understanding of government communicators and media practitioners on the strategic framework, status and timeline of the infrastructure development policies and programs.

The forum was participated in by more than 40 journalists from the tri-media sector and more than 70 government communicators from various departments and their attached agencies, and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).

Among the departments which participated were the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Finance, Department of Agrarian Reforms, Department of Health and Philippine National Police.

Among the GOCCs were Clark International Airport Corp., Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), Philippine Retirement Authority and Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

On July 11, DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral said the department aims "provide higher quality of high standard highway network for faster, safer, more comfortable, more reliable, and environmentally-friendly means of road transport, which supports national goals of rapid, inclusive, and sustained economic growth of the country."

Cabral said the total indicative project cost of the projects is estimated at P9.5 trillion.

Among these projects are the Maharlika Highway or Daang Maharlika Improvement Program, Tarlac – Pangasinan – La Union Expressway Extension, Central Luzon Link Expressway Project, Phase I, Central Luzon Link Expressway Phase II and the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge.

DOTr Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said under the leadership of Secretary Jaime Bautista, the department aims to "transform the Philippine transport industry and elevate it to global standards."

The undersecretary said the DPWH mantra is "comfortable, accessible, safe, and affordable transport service throughout the country."

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the Philippines "continues to perform as among the fastest-growing Asian economies."

Despite several domestic and external headwinds, the country's gross domestic product and gross national income have grown comparatively fast in 2023 and in the 1st quarter of 2024, the NEDA secretary said.

Assistant Budget Secretary Romeo Matthew Balanquit said the administration "aims to reverse the underinvestment in infrastructure through the Build Better More Program."

"Higher spending on construction have become a source of government spending growth," Balanquit said.

BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang told the forum that at the New Clark City in Tarlac City, Tarlac, about P143.22 billion worth of investments have been signified by private sector investors upon the finalization of the masterplan in 2017.

About P15 billion have been already "infused," the BCDA chief said.

SBMA chairman and administrator Eduardo Aliño disclosed that a P2-billion housing project is being eyed to be built within the area, which will dramatically improve the living conditions of about 1,300 low-income families.

CDC vice president Teresito Tiotuyco said his agency has four major projects that will push further the government's drive to promote Clark as an important hub for investments and business, among them the Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center, which is already under construction.

The construction of the National Museum of the Philippines-Clark is underway while the Clark Cultural and Convention Center is on the conceptual design phase.

Clark International Airport Corp. president Perez said the construction of Clark International Airport will transform the country into an international events destination.

"We can be Taylor Swift-ready by 2028," Perez said, referring to the American superstar who performs in large and modern venues but has not included the Philippines in her itinerary, prompting Filipino fans to fly abroad. (PNA)