Infrastructure highlights of the outgoing administration

In his State of the Nation Address in 2017, President Duterte promised to usher in a “golden age of infrastructure” for the Philippines through an ambitious P8-trillion “Build, Build, Build” initiative.

This had led to the roll out and completion of infrastructure projects that included roads, highways and expressways, bridges, flood mitigation projects, as well as classrooms, evacuation centers and quarantine facilities. We take a look at some of the highlights and accomplishments of the administration in this sector.

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Road completions

A report from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) showed that under the Duterte administration, a total of 40,080 kilometers of roads were constructed, maintained, widened, upgraded and rehabilitated. These comprise of 3,101 km of tourism roads; 999 km of completed roads leading to industries and trade corridors; 573 km of access roads that would enhance linkages toward seaports, airports and railway stations to further augment the logistics, transport and economic activities in these key transport hubs; and 2,712 km of completed farm-to-market roads.

Accessibility

Projects were also undertaken to further improve accessibility within cities and across provinces.

In the capital region, completed projects include Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Link Road Project and the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge—all of which form part of a bigger undertaking—the Metro Manila Logistics Infrastructure Network, which was aimed at reducing the congestion on major highways in this region.

In Luzon, completed big-ticket projects include the final section of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, Plaridel Bypass Road Phase II, North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link Segment 10 and C3-10 Section, Skyway Stage 3 and Alabang-Sucat Skyway Extension. Significant portions of planned projects such as the Cavite-Laguna Expressway and Central Luzon Link Expressway were completed over the past few years.

Highways and expressways were being expanded as well. One key project that is currently under construction is the Davao City-Bypass Road, which features the country’s longest road mountain tunnel.

Mega bridges

A total of 6,854 bridges were constructed, widened, upgraded, rehabilitated and strengthened, while 13,917 flood control projects have been completed as of March. The DPWH is reportedly fast-tracking the construction of Panguil Bay Bridge that will connect Tangub, Misamis Occidental, and Tubod, Lanao del Norte, along with the detailed engineering design of other various mega bridges.

Social services

Infrastructure projects also provide basic social services, such as the 259 projects under the Center and Residential Care Facility program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development; 245 projects that will enhance the capability and readiness of the military and police; 157,383 classrooms and 2,315 school workshop buildings; 302 evacuation centers; 7,369 projects under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program; 901 facilities equivalent to 33,236-bed capacity in We Heal As One Centers in response to COVID-19.

Connectivity

To improve inter-island shipping and connectivity, ports were upgraded and modernized. Capacities of existing airports were improved while new airports were constructed. As of March, 579 commercial and social tourism ports were completed and 248 airport projects were completed.

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A National Broadband Program was also implemented to provide faster, efficient and equitable broadband connectivity nationwide, including in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. As of March, the overall accomplishment rate of its first phase is 73.5 percent.

There were 7,977 operational WiFi sites in public areas established nationwide under the Free WiFi for All program, as mandated by Republic Act No. 10929 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act signed in 2017.

Housing assistance

For its part, the National Housing Authority was able to provide 336,493 housing assistance and resettlement nationwide, covering informal settler families, those affected by the calamities, housing for government employees, settlements upgrade and assistance provided under the Emergency Housing Assistance Program of NHA. Around 118 housing projects for indigenous peoples were also implemented by the Duterte administration, the NHA reported.

According to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the annual average number of housing units built under the Duterte administration reached 195,687.

Sources: Inquirer Archives, Philippine News Agency, Official Gazette, pcoo.gov.ph

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The article was originally published in Inquirer.NET and written by Angelika Ortega.

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