Villar eyes institutionalizing Build, Build, Build program into law

Image from Office of Sen. Mark Villar

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Mark Villar has filed a bill seeking to institutionalize the Build, Build, Build (BBB) program first implemented by the Duterte administration, where he served as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways that implemented the program.

Villar’s proposed Build, Build, Build Act aims to form a 30-Year National Infrastructure Program.

“Importante po na isulong natin sa Senado ang Build, Build, Build program, dahil ang pagkakaroon ng pangmatagalang plano para sa programang pang-imprastraktura ay makakapagpalago ng ekonomiya ng bansa,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

(It is important to push the Build, Build, Build program in the Senate because having a long-term plan for infrastructure programs will boost the country’s economy.)

“It will ease the much-needed improvement of the nation’s roads, bridges, and other structures, while it aims to give thousands of jobs to the Filipino people,” he added.

The bill contains policies and strategies that the government will pursue in determining the initial core infrastructure projects that will be prioritized.

The Build, Build, Build Act provides modalities for financing and implementing infrastructure projects.

The measure also identifies the role of implementing agencies in developing energy, water resources, transport, information and communications technology, social infrastructures, and other facilities in the nation.

As then DPWH secretary, Villar spearheaded the program’s implementation, a centerpiece project of then President Rodrigo Duterte, credited for generating jobs and igniting economic growth on the heels of the coronavirus pandemic. – with reports from Andy Hoo, INQUIRER.net intern

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