DOTr: Unfair to brand ‘Build, Build, Build’ a failure

MANILA, Philippines –  The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday said it is “grossly unfair to assess the success of the program by merely considering the implementation of flagship projects,” after opposition Sen. Frankling Drilon described the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build Program” a dismal failure.

“Many of which require immense pre-construction work such as right-of-way acquisition and community resettlement,” DOTr said in response to Drilon’s statement that only nine out of 75 flagship programs have started construction.

READ: Drilon blasts Duterte’s infra program as ‘dismal failure’

“While an initial number of these projects were considered as ‘flagship,’ it should be noted that thousands others, whose impact to local communities leaves very little doubt of their significance and value, have also been implemented under the Build, build, build program,” the DOTr said.

DOTr said they have completed 64 airport projects while 133 other airport projects are ongoing.

The transportation department cited that it has completed the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, country’s first landport.

For seaports, DOTr said it has completed 243 commercial and tourism seaport projects while 136 other seaport projects are still ongoing.

DOTr’s notable port projects include Passenger Terminal Building at the Port of Cagayan de Oro, and the rehabilitation of Opol Port in Misamis Oriental, Sasa Port in Davao, Butuan Port in Agusan Del Norte, Tubigon Port in Bohol, Limasawa Port in Southern Leyte and General Santos (Makar Wharf).

Edited by GSG