Malacañang stands by Duterte’s view that ‘economy is in the doldrums’

Malacañang is standing by President Rodrigo Duterte’s observation that the implementation of infrastructure projects in the provinces is taking longer, which he said gives him the perception that the economy is in the doldrums.

“The President was expressing a preference that the Build, Build, Build projects in the provinces be implemented faster. He has also shown impatience that the major projects appear to be taking long,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing on Thursday.

READ: Duterte: Economy in the doldrums

Despite the President’s impression, Roque said the government would try to finish most of the administration’s infrastructure project until 2022.

“We’re still aiming for a majority of these projects to be finished within the term of the President,” he said.

“And that’s why it’s a message [for] everyone to double time in their effort to begin and finish the major infrastructure projects that we have lined up,” he said.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Wednesday that “hard facts” show that the economy is not in the doldrums.

READ: Diokno counters Duterte: Hard facts show economy is good

“You look at the facts, not the impressions, not perceptions, but the hard facts,” Diokno said in a press briefing.

Duterte had earlier said the Philippine economy is in doldrums, citing stagnant economic activity in the provinces. /ee