COVID-19 has 'little effect' on 'Build, Build, Build' projects — DPWH

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 3) — The coronavirus pandemic has minimal effect on the government's flagship infrastructure projects, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar said in Friday's Laging Handa press briefing.

"Siyempre may konting effect dahil obviously di kami makakatrabaho," Villar said. "Pero konti lang siguro dahil ilang buwan lang."

[Translation: Of course there's little effect because obviously, we can't work. But it will probably be mimimal because it's only for a few months.]

Construction for 'Build, Build, Build' projects was put on hold as the government implemented a Luzon-wide lockdown to help curb the spread of the deadly virus.

Despite the delays, Villar said the department will be able to finish the projects on time

"Sa tingin ko, kaya naman namin habulin ang target implementation namin," he said.

[Translation: I think we can keep up with our target implementation.]

The department also faced delays in infrastructure projects last year with the delayed passage of the 2019 budget and the election ban on public works.

Among the recommendations made by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, along with 60 other business leaders, is to allow construction, particularly of government infrastructure projects.

This "can give a lot of employment to the people," Concepcion said.