The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday assured President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of its cooperation with the implementation of the incoming administration’s infrastructure projects.
ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa made the assurance during his courtesy visit to Marcos at the BBM headquarters where they discussed the “Build, Build, Build” program, a project started by the Duterte administration.
“The ADB is working closely with the government, development partners, and the private sector to support infra investment, including projects under the Build, Build, Build program, promote sustainable agri-development and food security, and invest in Filipinos’ welfare,” Asakawa said, in a statement.
“As we prepare our next country partnership strategy for 2024-29, we will be exploring opportunities with the incoming admin’s priorities on climate change action to support a resilient and green economic recovery, climate-smart transportation, and continuing investments in education, vocational skills training, employment programs, health promotion, and social protection,” he added.
Asakawa stressed that the Philippines is a key partner of ADB.
Marcos has since promised to continue the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure initiative of the outgoing administration.
Out of the 119 infrastructure flagship projects (IFP) under the Build, Build, Build program, only 12 were completed to date and additional seven will be completed by June — the last month of the Duterte administration — while 12 more are set to be completed by December 2022.
The incoming Marcos administration will inherit 88 projects that are expected to be completed in the next six years.
Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte meanwhile expressed the hope that the next administration will sustain big-ticket infrastructure projects that his government initiated.
Duterte witnessed the lowering of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) of the country’s first-ever Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) in Valenzuela City recently.
In his speech during the event, the President said he is hoping that the incoming Marcos administration will build on the foundations that his government has laid down in terms of infrastructure projects. “I am also grateful to have the Japan International Cooperation Agency as an ally in nation-building, particularly in initiatives that will benefit our citizens and accelerate our country’s economic development,” he said.
Duterte said the subway project will benefit the commuters especially those coming from Quezon City going to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as they experience the convenience and comfort of a fast, efficient, and modern transportation system. With Vito Barcelo
