Duterte promotes PHL’s Build Build Build program at Belt and Road forum

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday promoted the key ingredient of "Dutertenomics," the Build Build Build program meant to push for the golden age of infrastructure in the Philippines, at the leaders’ round-table discussion during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, China.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that Duterte stressed his administration’s commitment to generate inclusive economic growth in the country during the first session of the round-table meet.

“The President introduced the Philippines' ‘Build, Build, Build’ program in this context, saying that this program aspires for high impact projects to connect people, create jobs and bring down the cost of doing business through logistical support and infrastructure. He said, it is hoped that agriculture can be modernized and industrialization expanded to give farmers, producers and manufacturers more efficient and cost-effective access to internal and external markets,” the statement read.

“For the President, the Philippine approach can complement regional and international connectivity mechanisms, such [as] China's One Belt One Road initiative and the ASEAN Master Plan on Connectivity,” it added.

Duterte is also the chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations until November.

Duterte’s Cabinet also presented Dutertenomics and the Build Build Build program in Beijing at a separate briefing.

“Dutertenomics is the brand we’ve given to the President’s philosophy and strategy for economic governance.  It’s a strategy that’s driven by our dream of building a nationwide infrastructure network that will connect all of our seven thousand islands into one cohesive and dynamic whole, into Asia’s tiger economy,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in his opening remarks.

The economic managers made the same presentation at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN in Phnom Penh, Cambodia a few days ago.

The DFA said that the President also mentioned the illegal drug trade and his resolve to combat corruption in the Philippines during the first session, but it did not give any more details on the discussion.

LOOK: Pres. Duterte was one of the leaders who joined the Belt and Road Forum's first Leaders Roundtable in Beijing today. ????: Palace pic.twitter.com/LzIuj0ziJS

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) May 15, 2017

Moreover, Duterte underscored the importance of building clean and green infrastructure in the second session of the round-table discussion.

“Describing green and sustainable designs as able to minimize or prevent the adverse impact on natural ecosystems, President Duterte said that sustainability of infrastructure can guarantee quality of life and support human welfare and well-being,” the DFA said.

“As a pole of industrial growth, the emergence of modern, cost-effective and eco-friendly technologies can create jobs [and] economic opportunities. He extolled the use of traditional practices and processes that have proven to be environmentally friendly. He stressed the need for financing and the institutionalization of innovations and learnings to create a legacy for future generations,” the statement also read.

The leaders' round-table discussion was chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping. It was attended by 29 leaders including Duterte's idol Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he sat next to during the gala dinner on Sunday. — BM, GMA News