Socioplanning Secretary and concurrent National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Ernesto Pernia
MANILA -- The Duterte administration considers the delay on the approval of this year’s national budget as a challenge to further push for the implementation of its infrastructure program to achieve growth targets.
In his speech on Friday during the Ambisyon Natin 2040 event in SMX Convention Center in SM Aura in Taguig City, Socioplanning Secretary and concurrent National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Ernesto Pernia said 37 of the 75 priority infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration has been approved by the NEDA Board.
He, however, said the implementation of some of the projects was hit by the delay in the approval of this year’s national budget as well as the election ban.
This resulted in the slowdown of domestic growth in the first half of the year to an average of 5.5 percent, below the government’s full-year target band of 6 percent to 7 percent.
“Nevertheless, this should not dampen our spirits. Instead, we should treat it as a challenge that will push us to unite our work together harder to reach our goals,” he said.
“Our push for the Matatag (stable), Maginhawa (comfortable), and Panatag na Buhay (secure life) requires all of us to continue and help one another despite differences - - political differences, political affiliations, political colors. We can still unite among ourselves to reach our goals - mid-term goals as well as long-term goals,” he said.
Pernia said they will update the list of their infrastructure projects to come up with “achievable and finishable” projects within the term of the current administration.
“And we are replacing some of the items in the 75 flagship projects that are just so difficult and very costly to carry on,” he added. (PNA)
