JV Ejercito lauds Duterte’s political will, support for infrastructure

By: Dennis Gutierrez - 3 years ago

President Rodrigo Duterte greets Senator JV Ejercito on the sidelines of the ceremonial signing of the Universal Health Care Act at the Malacañan Palace on February 20, 2019. The new law, which seeks to “address the urgent need for an affordable, comprehensive, and quality health care program that is accessible to all Filipinos”, was authored and principally sponsored by Ejercito. | PHOTO: Rolando Mailo/Presidential Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s political will in pushing for infrastructure development in the past five years.

“We may not agree with him all the time. A lot of people do not agree with his style, personality, and character. But it’s very obvious regarding infrastructure development, I really commend his political will to do it,” Ejercito said in an interview with DYRF Radio Fuerza.

“Buti nalang, noong 2016, dumating si Presidente. He prioritized Build, Build, Build. I volunteered to defend the projects,” he added.

The “Build, Build, Build” program is the current administration’s flagship infrastructure development program.
A total of 212 airport projects, 446 seaport projects, 10,376 flood mitigation structures, 26,494 kilometers of road, and 5,555 bridges were completed under the program, according to different Cabinet secretaries in a briefing held on June 18, 2021.
Currently under construction are 102 airport projects, 117 seaport projects, 1,090.30 kilometers of railway, 2,587 flood mitigation structures, 2,515 kilometers of road, and 1,020 bridges.

Despite these achievements, however, Ejercito said the country needs a long-term comprehensive infrastructure plan to ensure that the construction of key infrastructure projects will proceed, regardless of the sitting administration.

“Iyan ang problema sa bansa natin, yung long-term planning. People, those who get elected, are centered on their legacies, three years, six years,” he said.

“We have become so weak compared to our Asean neighbors. Lahat po sila have really invested heavily in infrastructure. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, even Vietnam. Naovertake na tayo ng Vietnam in terms of foreign direct investments due to poor infrastructure in our country,” he added.

Aside from the crafting of a comprehensive infrastructure master plan, the former Senator recently vowed to support the construction of the PNR South Rail Line, Mindanao Railway System, PNR North Long Haul, and North-South Commuter Railway.