Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade & Public Works Sec. Mark Villar Meet The Press To Explain Their Latest Projects In The Govt's Build Build Build Program

TRANSPORTATION Sec. Arthur Tugade, Public Works Sec. Mark Villar and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Director Vince Dizon met with the entertainment press and the first question they encountered is about the embarrassing Kayo ang Boss Ko toilets in PNR stations that went viral on the net, made without any partion and which the COA says cost about P295 million.

“We just want to make it clear na ang kalihim noon na si Mar Roxas ang nagpatayo niyan at tinawag nilang world class,” says Sec. Tugade. “Sabi ng mga tao noon, Wow! Pero nang makita namin, Ngek! pala. May mga kontratista raw yan na nung matanggap ang down payment, bigla na lang nawala, hindi tinapos. So, sa dating administrasyon ho yan, hindi po sa amin.”

Tugade is one of the most hardworking secretaries of the current administration. He is deadset on completing the LRT-1 extension project from Baclaran to Sucat and Cavite in 2021 which was delayed by right of way problems. With improvements he instituted, NAIA is now out of the list of the world’s worst airports and 8 local airports were awarded with on-time performance ratings. To further boost tourism in Bohol, the new airport in Panglao Island will soon open and we no longer have to land on Tagbilaran. A new Bicol International Airport is also being constructed in Daraga, Albay.



Together with the BCDA, they’ve started building a new terminal at Clark Airport in Angeles. Tugade has moved his DOTr office there and soon, other government offices will also transfer, to help expand growth and opportunity outside Metro Manila in what will be called the New Clark City.

As for Sec. Villar, he denies reports that DPWH projects are delayed or have failed. Since the Duterte government took over with their Build Build Build projects, they’ve built a total of 3,945 kms. of roads and 892 bridges. With the DoTr, it has initiated the construction of two transport terminals, two train system projects including the PNR Manila-Clark line. It has also completed 129 commercial port projects all over the country and 8 social/tourism ports. All this has given jobs to millions of Filipinos and on August 12, their team will hold the Jobs Jobs Jobs project at SMX Convention Center and you can apply for various positions from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

“Bubuksan na rin ang bagong highway for trucks this year so mas luluwag na ang traffic in Metro-Manila, pati na ang bagong Laguna Lake Highway,” he adds. “Also, I’ve just come from Boracay at magugulat kayo kasi ibang-iba na siya. The beach area was cleared up and became wider, also the roads na ginawang from 5 to 12 meters wide. The drainage and sewerage systems have also been improved. It will reopen on October 26.”

He’s thankful that Robin Padilla offered to be the ambassador of their Build projects. “He will be a big help in pushing our programs, especially sa rehabilitation of Marawi that was destroyed by the war last year,” he adds. “Hindi naman tayo gagastos dito kasi siya mismo ang nagprisinta para makatulong siya.”