Duterte claims delay in Build, Build, Build program due to lack of skilled workers
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday blamed the lack of skilled workers for the supposed delay in the implementation of infrastructure projects under the ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program.
“Kaya ‘yang Build, Build, Build medyo atrasado ng konti. Walang trabahante. Eh, marami tayong Pilipino. Kung wala naman, hindi naman tayo magtulungan, eh ‘di wala,” Duterte said in a speech in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.
Under the Build, Build, Build program, the Duterte administration aims to spend around $158 billion over the next five years for ports, airports, roads, railways, energy facilities, irrigation systems, and flood control facilities.
The massive infrastructure spending is being financed in part by proceeds from the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, which was blamed by some politicians and groups for the uptick in consumer prices last year.
To speed up the implementation, Malacañang ordered government agencies to ensure the timely completion of infrastructure projects as it warned state workers that neglect of duty and inefficiency can be grounds for disciplinary action.
The Palace gave the directive through Memorandum Circular 57 which was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on February 7.
In issuing the circular, the Palace said unfinished government infrastructure projects “cause great inconvenience and serious damage to the prejudice of the general public, and adversely affect the delivery of basic services.”
“The development goals of accelerating infrastructure development and ensuring efficient governance remain as overriding objectives of the government under the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022,” the circular stated. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ/BAP, GMA News