The head of the House of Representatives’ ways and means committee on Tuesday pushed for the inclusion of the “enhanced Build, Build, Build” program in the economic stimulus strategies to be implemented once the COVID-19 threat has passed.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, also House economic stimulus cluster co-chairman, similarly pushed for the passage of his Build, Build, Build emergency-powers proposal to speed up the completion of high-value projects and to frontload economic gains.
“Infrastructure remains one of the most powerful economic stimulus tools—especially if you can finish it on time,” Salceda said.
“Estimates have it that every P200 billion in infrastructure can create up to 463,000 jobs on the year it is spent,” he said.
Deputy Majority Leader and Quezon City Rep. Precious Castelo echoed Salceda.
She said the government must take advantage “of the remaining dry-season window” to resume work on BBB projects.
“We have at most May and June to do public works activities before the onset of the rainy season, which will surely slow down again the implementation of our national and local government infrastructure programs,” Castelo said.
Fiscal stimulus package
The head of the House of Representatives’ economic affairs committee on Monday renewed her call for the immediate passage of the fiscal stimulus package to help Filipino businesses recuperate from the devastating effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Rep. Sharon Garin made the statement a week after the first technical working group meeting of the Defeat COVID-19 subcommittee on economic stimulus and response package.
In her presentation at that meeting, Garin underscored the importance of boosting business confidence and maintaining the stability of the labor force beyond the lifting of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon.
“During ECQ we need to safeguard Filipino lives. But after ECQ we need to safeguard their livelihood,” Garin said.
“The lifeblood of the economy is employment. Without jobs Filipinos will not have income, won’t have food on their tables, and won’t be healthy members of our society.”
No pet infra projects
The resumption of construction projects should not be in pursuit of the legislators’ pet infra projects like flood control, waiting sheds and the like once President Rodrigo Duterte implements a modified quarantine, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday.
He said projects should be limited to those listed under the government’s Build, Build, Build program.
Senator Sonny Angara said the government should slowly resume important infrastructure projects all over the country.
Senator Joel Villanueva is also amenable to making a portion of the economy going instead of shutting the economy.
But Senator Koko Pimentel says there is still the question to “what is essential for society to function?”
Senator Ronald dela Rosa said easing up the strict movement restrictions in some parts of the country was a welcome development.
Senator Francis Tolentino says he supports the President’s move to prepare for the gradual opening of the economy.