MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is actively advancing 74 of the 185 Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs) under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration, as stated by Undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership Services, Maria Catalina Cabral.
According to Philippines News Agency, who spoke at the Presidential Communications Office's "Build Better More" Infrastructure Forum, the DPWH is spearheading various infrastructure developments, including roads, bridges, flood controls, and urban initiatives. These projects aim to enhance connectivity, spur economic growth, and elevate the quality of life across the Philippines. Cabral highlighted that among the completed projects are the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, the Flood Risk Improvement and Management Project for Cagayan De Oro River, and the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Pampanga Bay's low-lying areas.
The ongoing infrastructure developments include 38 projects, while another 33 are in the pre-construction phase. Cabral detailed the DPWH's High Standard Highway Network Development plan, which involves constructing highways and expressways to connect strategic economic zones, tourism sites, and production centers nationwide seamlessly. A key focus is the enhancement of the 3,082-kilometer Maharlika Highway, a critical transportation artery.
Further, Cabral discussed the Inter-Island Linkage Bridge Program aimed at ensuring connectivity among the Philippines' three major islands. The Metro Manila Logistics Improvement Program is set to improve 11 bridges across the Pasig River, Marikina River, and Manggahan Floodway, and the Flood Control Management Program targets 18 major river basins and other areas prone to flooding.
"The Philippines is poised to become an economic powerhouse in Asia," Cabral asserted. "By investing in these transformative projects, we are not just building roads but paving the path to a more prosperous future, enhancing our global competitiveness in tourism."
The three-day forum served as a platform to enhance understanding among government communicators and media practitioners about the strategic framework, status, and timeline of the Marcos administration's infrastructure policies and programs. Over 40 journalists from tri-media and more than 70 government communicators from various departments and agencies attended, along with representatives from several government-owned and controlled corporations like Clark International Airport Corp., Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and others.