The government’s “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program gives the country’s 17 regions hope that they will be able to boost their economic growth and development in the medium term, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
In a statement, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said that, despite the increase in the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of many regions last year, the National Capital Region (NCR) remains as the top contributor to the country’s GDP.
“The government is now waging its biggest campaign yet—the Build, Build, Build—and it gives regions hope. They are getting a big share in the government’s infrastructure projects and programs,” Pernia said.
The Neda said the end goal of the government’s massive infrastructure program is to make the regions better connected, address socioeconomic inequities by linking lagging regions with leading ones.
Through the BBB, the Neda hopes to improve efficiency and productivity for further growth in regions and reduce their disaster vulnerability, as stated in the National Spatial Strategy under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022.
“These projects are well aligned with the National Spatial Strategy under the PDP 2017-2022. The strategy anticipates future growth based on trends in population, economic activities and services. It emphasizes that Metro Manila should be decongested and that growth must be directed to other regional centers,” Pernia said.
He noted that Cordillera’s actual GRDP more than doubled its target of 4 percent to 5 percent in 2017, with the recovery of its industry and agriculture sectors. Pernia added this was made possible by the government’s increased spending on public infrastructure and social protection. Increased investments in private construction also improved connectivity within the region and its neighbors, Pernia said.
Davao’s growth, which has surpassed its targets for six consecutive years, was boosted by its construction, mining and quarrying industries.
“In Davao there is a continuous boom in private construction, particularly for mass housing and property development, and in government infrastructure projects,” Neda Undersecretary for Regional Development Adoracion M. Navarro said. The mining sector in the region also grew by 18.2 percent partly due to the increase in gold production.
Navarro said Davaoeños are setting their sights on several BBB projects, including the Davao City Coastal Road, Davao Food Exchange Complex, Tagum-Davao-Digos line of the Mindanao Railway System, Davao-Samal Bridge, improvement of the Davao International Airport, modernization of Sasa Port, Davao Fish Port Complex, and the construction of the New Agdao Public Market. “The implementation of these projects will help spur economic growth and generate employment in the region,” she added.
Similarly, planned major infrastructure projects in Central Luzon include the development of the New Clark City, Clark International Airport Terminal Building and the Manila-Clark Railway.