FACT CHECK | Senator Lacson claims only 12 out of 119 infrastructure projects under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program were completed is partly false

March 21, 2022 , 06:39 PM

By Mikee Garcia

(March 21, 2022) – During the Commission on Elections-sponsored presidential debate over the weekend, the majority of the candidates said President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program was a success, and they would adopt the same program if elected into office. However, one candidate criticized the program because of its little accomplishments.

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said only 12 of the 119 big-ticket items, like roads, bridges, ports, airports and railways, were completed with only barely three months before Duterte steps down from power. There was a need to review the program because it relied on Chinese investments that never came.

CLAIM:

Senator Ping Lacson said only 12 out of 118 big-ticket infrastructure projects under the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build program have been accomplished.

RATING: PARTLY FALSE

FACTS:

Lacson’s figure missed the actual accomplishment based on the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) database. According to NEDA’s revised list of 119 infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) under President Rodrigo Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program, a total of 14 projects were completed.

In 2017, when the Duterte administration unveiled its ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program, an initial list of 75 projects were prioritized, but it evolved to a total of 119 projects. Funding for the projects were initially from the country’s annual national budget, public-private partnerships, loans from Japan and the Asian Development Bank.

In May 2021, NEDA said four projects were “completed” though the roads and bridges were only partially opened and supposedly for inauguration by July 2021.

These projects include the LRT 2 East Extension, which was inaugurated on time in July 2021; the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 and the Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Link Road Project which was opened in October 2021.

For the Metro Manila Logistics Network: China Grant Bridges project, only the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge was opened to motorists in July 2021 while the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is set to reach completion by Holy Week this year in April. These two bridge projects were the only grants the country obtained from Beijing.

Another 12 IFPs were listed as ongoing projects for completion by 2021 but only three met the target while one was completed this year.

The General Santos Airport and the Reconstruction and Development Plan for Greater Marawi projects were completed in September 2021. The Bicol International Airport began its operations in October. The Land Transportation Office Central Command Center opened just last month.

There are eight remaining projects in the list that should have been completed last year. Out of these, four are targeting completion before the end of President Duterte’s term in June 2022, namely the Motor Vehicle Recognition and Enhancement System, the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project, and the Flood Risk Management Project in Cagayan, Tagoloan, and Imus Rivers.

The Unified Grand Central Station is targeted to open in July 2022 when the Philippines will have a new president.

The National Irrigation Sector Rehabilitation and Improvement Program inaugurated two irrigation systems in December out of the 11 under the project.

NEDA’s revised list also included 17 ongoing projects for completion by 2022, 51 ongoing projects for completion by 2023 and beyond, and 28 projects in the pipeline completing government approvals.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

President Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program is supposed to be part of his administration’s legacy projects, which economists said was “overly ambitious” because the government earmarked at least P1 trillion budget under the 2022 budget despite the pandemic expenditures.

Duterte was hoping his successor will continue the program.

News 5 is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, e-mail info@factsfirst.ph.

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(MM)

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