The Duterte Administration plan to spend up to P8 trillion budget for infrastructure in the next five years.
With the new battle cry "Build, build, build" of the administration, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said, this planned infrastructure program, would spur development and ease traffic congestion in the country.
In line with this, Cabinet members are calling the Congress to grant emergency powers to President Duterte that will focus on transportation projects.
Tugade said, that projects include new roads, bridges, railways, and improvements to the airports will be delayed without emergency powers.
Among the infrastructure projects which the government plans to build starting 2017 include:
Manila-Clark Railway - The project guarantees one hour travel from Metro Manila to Clark International Airport once completed.
Manila-Clark Railway - The project guarantees one hour travel from Metro Manila to Clark International Airport once completed.
Iloilo-Guimaras-Negros-Cebu Link Bridge - Traveling via bus or car to the islands of Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros, and Cebu will be possible.
Mindanao Railway - This railway project will shorten travel time from Davao to Surigao and from Davao to Cagayan de Oro to two hours.
Through emergency powers, the president will be allowed to conduct selective bidding, direct contracting, or negotiated procurement for materials or services for projects intended to deal with the transport problem.
The bill that would authorize these powers would also bar lower courts from issuing temporary restraining orders or injunctions against the projects. Only the Supreme Court would be given the authority to issue such an order.
Tugade put at rest the fears that the emergency powers would lead to corruption.
The bill that would authorize these powers would also bar lower courts from issuing temporary restraining orders or injunctions against the projects. Only the Supreme Court would be given the authority to issue such an order.
Tugade put at rest the fears that the emergency powers would lead to corruption.
He said a freedom of information portal would be put up so that the public could track the progress of the projects. “We shall be transparent and we shall be accountable,” he said.
The projects are intended to spur development, create jobs, deal with road and traffic problems and high prices.
“We need the emergency power to expedite … . If they would not give it, we will do what we believe needs to be done, but there will be delays,” Tugade said.
(WATCH:MALACAÑANG PRESS BRIEFING - BUILD, BUILD, BUILD)
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