Duterte admin eyeing 24/7 construction work for infra projects

The government intends to fast-track infrastructure development during the six-year term President Rodrigo Duterte to pump-prime the economy by pushing for construction works 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

“We are considering 24/7 construction for all major Metro Manila projects and maybe projects in Cebu and Davao. Don’t be surprised if constructions are going on in the middle of the night,” newly-appointed Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno told reporters in a briefing in Pasay City.

The push is in line with the Duterte administration’s efforts to speed up the construction of infrastructure projects and increase budget spending which has been a major issue during the term of former President Benigno Aquino III.

In 2015, underspending hindered the Philippine economy and prompted the Aquino administration to go for a full review of the country’s financial performance.

Diokno cited studies that showed the government losing P2.3 billion a day every time an infrastructure project is delayed.

“To get things done much faster we will work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Instead of one shift, you get three shifts,” he said.

Among the major projects to be prioritized under the scheme are public-private partnership (PPP) projects and others worth more than P10 million.
“Given the extent and the size of the projects we are planning to do, things will get worse before they get better... We are going to fix all the major roads, all the major constructions,” he said.

Diokno said the plan has been brought to the attention of President Duterte and that “it’s okay with him.”

In a separate interview, incoming Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Las Piñas Representative Mark Villar noted the plan is “doable.” He did not elaborate, beyonod saying he will be coordinating with the necessary government agencies to achieve it. – VDS, GMA News