MRT-7. Photo shows the ongoing construction of the Manila Metro Rail Transit System Line 7, also known as MRT-7. Once completed, the 22.8-kilometer line from North Avenue Grand Central Station to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan can serve at least 500,000 passengers a day. (PNA photo by Jelly Musico)
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte's administration has prepared a "comprehensive" plan for the effective implementation of its ambitious "Build, Build, Build" program, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the remark, as he chided Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. for claiming that the Duterte government's infrastructure program is "not a comprehensive plan for mass transport" but a mere "list of infrastructure projects".
Speaking to Palace reporters, Panelo lamented that instead of offering solutions, Reyes opted to find fault with the government amid issues plaguing the country's transport system.
Panelo said the Bayan leader should first trust the government's resolve to bring comfort to Filipinos who have to endure the ordeal of daily commuting.
"Hindi naman niya alam 'yun eh. Ang problema sa kanya, eh 'di tanungin niya. Gumawa siya ng formal letter, inquiring from these departments kung anong plano (He knows nothing. The problem with him is he does not inquire. He should make a formal letter, inquiring from the concerned departments about their plan [to solve transport issues])," Panalo said in a Palace briefing.
"And then kung walang response, at saka siya mag-criticize na wala (He can criticize if there is no response). Until such time, give the benefit of the doubt on these departments, that they have a comprehensive plan," he added.
In a statement on Monday (Oct 14), Reyes called on the government to adopt a "comprehensive" and "long-term plan for an "efficient and accessible" mass transport for the public.
The activist leader also suggested that the comprehensive program the government would pursue should be implemented for the next "15 to 20 years."
He issued the proposal, as he criticized the "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure program of the Duterte government.
'Gov't not sitting idly'
Under the "Build, Build, Build" program, around 75 big-ticket infrastructure projects, including the construction of airports, railways, bus rapid transits, roads and bridges, and seaports, will be implemented until the end of Duterte's term in 2022.
Around PHP9 trillion will be earmarked for the flagship program.
Despite criticisms hurled against the government, Panelo said concerned state departments are exhausting all efforts in providing solutions to the persistent transport woes.
He assured that the Duterte administration would not sit idly while Filipinos are struggling to survive the transport problems.
"Eh lahat nga iyan, kasama 'yan doon sa plano ng gobyerno (We include that in the government's plan)," the Palace official said, when asked if the government has a plan to integrate different modes of mass transport.
"Basta ang importante, may ginagawa ang pamahalaan. Kumbaga, hindi lang nakaupo diyan at nakatunganga (What's important is the government is doing something. They are not sitting idly by)," Panelo said. (PNA)
