PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. believes that well-studied infrastructure projects from previous administrations must continue for the benefit of the nation.

In his vlog released on Saturday, Marcos said his administration recently approved 194 high-impact infrastructure projects under the “Build Better More” infrastructure program amounting to over PHP9 trillion.

Of the 194 projects, 123 are initiatives under the current administration while the remaining 71 were from his predecessor, Rodrigo R. Duterte, all aimed at addressing digital connectivity, flood control, irrigation, water supply, health, power, and energy.

Marcos recognized that many infrastructure projects end up getting shelved during the transition from old to new administrations, and it must be corrected.

“Kung maganda naman ‘yung proyekto, ba’t di natin itutuloy? Kung masusi naman ang pag-aaral at talagang may pakinabang e dapat talagang ituloy,” he said.

“Ang imprastraktura ay kaunlaran. Lalo na at kasama nito ay masusing pag-aaral at talagang may pakinabang, e dapat talagang ituloy,” he added.

Marcos likewise enumerated seven infrastructure development benefits that his government would continue to push: jobs, traffic solutions, food security, climate change, digitalization, electricity, and tourism.

“Ang mga infrastructure project na ito ay magdadala ng mas maraming hanapbuhay para sa ating manggagawa,” he said.

Citing government data, he said infrastructure projects resulted in 1.4 million jobs during the pandemic.

Infrastructure projects such as improvements in the country’s railway systems will ease traffic congestion and would make commuting easier.

Most recent studies conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) showed that the Philippines loses PHP3.5 billion a day due to traffic in Metro Manila.

Also, Marcos said building more irrigation infrastructure and farm-to-market roads will help lower food prices.

To ensure that the country is more prepared to deal with disasters, Marcos said infrastructure projects must also put into consideration climate change.

He said infrastructure projects will help the country become more digitally connected, attain its goal of 100-percent electrification, and raise tourism numbers.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation’s (DOTR ) big-ticket infrastructures in the pipeline are included in the high-impact projects approved and being implemented under the Marcos administration.

The government has reported that out of 194 high-impact projects under the Build Better More program, 67 Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs) have either been approved or now being implemented, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said yesterday.

The NEDA said as of March 9, the list of IFPs being carried out by multiple government agencies include the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project, Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, (DPTMP), EDSA Greenways, LRT 2 West Extension, and the Metro Manila Line 1 Cavite Extension (LRT 1 Cavite Extension).

Also included in the IFP list are the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1, Mindanao Rail Project Phase 1, MRT 3 Rehabilitation Project, MRT 4, MRT 7 Project, New Cebu International Container Port Project, New Manila International Airport (Bulacan International Airport), North South Commuter Railway, PNR South Long Haul and the Subic Clark Railway.

The New Dumaguete Airport Development Project (Bacong International Airport) and the Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation (InFRA) Project- Phase 1 have secured approval or have been approved for implementation, NEDA said as it noted that six projects are awaiting government approval. Philippine News Agency, Jun I. Legaspi