Quezon city: There is no room for corruption in implementing infrastructure projects under the 'Build Better More' program, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Monday. 'Sa mga proyekto, hindi natin papayagan at palalampasin ang mga katiwalian sa pangangasiwa, ang kapalpakan sa pagdisenyo at sa pagkakagawa, ang mababang kalidad at marupok na mga materyales, ang pagka-antala ng proyekto, at ang kapabayaan sa tamang pagmentina at pagkumpuni (In projects, we will not tolerate and allow corruption in supervision, design and construction failures, low-quality and fragile materials, project delays, and neglect of proper maintenance and repair),' Marcos said in his 4th State of the Nation Address delivered at the Batasang Pambansa complex.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos expressed dismay over the deteriorating state of critical infrastructures, such as the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela and the San Juanico Bridge that stretches from Samar to Leyte Island. He lamented that the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge was 'destroyed so quickly' even after it was retrofitted. He also expressed disappointment over the failure to properly maintain the San Juanico Bridge, the longest bridge along the Pan-Philippine Highway, which was built in August 1969 and completed in 1973 to connect Luzon and Mindanao.
'Hindi dapat ganito. Sa 'Build Better More,' higit ang kapakanan at kaligtasan ng mamamayan ang napakamahalaga. Ang mga proyekto, tama dapat ang disenyo. Mataas dapat ang kalidad. Natatapos sa takdang oras. At naaalagaan at namementinang mabuti (This should not be the case. In 'Build Better More,' the welfare and safety of the people are of utmost importance. Projects must be designed correctly. They must be of high quality. They must be completed on time. And they must be well cared for and maintained),' Marcos said.
Marcos assured that the administration's massive infrastructure program would continue, with significant projects already underway across the archipelago, including roads, bridges, trains, airports, ports, irrigation, and affordable housing. He stated that some projects would be completed during his term, while others would benefit the nation beyond his presidency in 2028.
He directed concerned agencies, such as the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works and Highways, to ensure high-quality infrastructure projects are completed on time. Key projects mentioned in his speech included the North-South Commuter Railway Project, the upgrade of the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit lines, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Bicol Project, and the South Luzon Expressway expansion project.
Infrastructure spending reached PHP1.54 trillion in 2024, an increase of 8.9 percent from the PHP1.41 trillion outturn in 2023, according to data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The overall infrastructure disbursements in 2024 exceeded the 2024 disbursement program by PHP72.4 billion or 4.9 percent.
The Department of Economic Planning and Development has been tasked with crafting the country's first 25-year infrastructure masterplan to ensure the continuity of key infrastructure projects.
