INFRASTRUCTURE CLUSTER PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS IC PRE-SONA 2020 SPEECH

Executive Secretary Medialdea, Cabinet Secretary Nograles,

Secretary Dominguez of the Economic Development Cluster, Secretary Andanar, My fellow colleagues in the Cabinet,

Our friends from the private sector and the academe, Our development partners, And to the millions of our Kababayans all over the world, good morning! Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat!

It is with honor and humility that I have this opportunity to speak with you today, on behalf of the Cabinet’s Infrastructure Cluster.

Last year, in this same forum, I joined you in sharing and celebrating many milestones and accomplishments of infrastructure reforms and progress. Those that were seen and felt by our people as evidence of “patuloy na pag-unlad” or sustained economic growth. And there, we parted with the message of hope and promise to expect more improvements to come and unfold in subsequent years.

Midway into the Duterte Administration, we have expected formidable challenges to come to our path and we have had to hurdle many storms and as we move to transform the country’s infrastructure sector.

P a g e 1 | 30

Through our firm and collective efforts, we started 2020 optimistically knowing that we have surpassed these challenges and that we have made good progress.

We have exceeded our infrastructure investment spending goal to reach more than 5% of GDP, founded on a robust pipeline of projects under the Build Build Build

Program, and guided by strategic sectoral master plans and roadmaps.

I would like to share with you some of the important things that we have accomplished and what we can expect moving into this recovery and resiliency program.

The Government recognizes the role of internet as a key enabler of economic growth and competitiveness of nations that can contribute to social and cultural development. To operationalize this mandate, the Department of Information and Communications Technology has set the Digital Strategy, which aims to accelerate the digital transformation of governance, education, workforce, and communities across the country through a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach.

The Digital Connectivity Program, which includes the National Broadband Program, and the Free Wi-Fi in Public Places will build and enhance our existing digital infrastructure.

P a g e 2 | 30

To date, the National Broadband Program has successfully tested the 158 dark fiber segments and lighted 124 nodes of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines for the National Fiber Optic Cable Backbone component. Further, the construction of the Cable Landing Stations at Baler, Aurora and Poro Point, La Union has been completed. It is envisioned that the 250-km terrestrial roadwork from Aurora to La Union will be completed by the end of July 2020 and the installation of vital ICT equipment shall be completed by October 2020. Once completed, the Philippine

Government is expected to access the 2 terabyte capacity of broadband internet by 2021.

The Free Wi-Fi for All in Public Places and SUCs Projects cover the installation of free internet access in Public Places and State Universities and Colleges. To date, a total of 4,031 live sites have been installed, while an additional 63,202 sites will be connected by the end of 2022.

The Digital Education shall transform Filipino teachers and learners through the use of ICT in teaching, learning, and education leadership, and the Digital Workforce shall provide more access to develop potential ICT skills of the Filipino people.

To achieve these goals on digital education and workforce, the DICT shall strengthen the ICT Academy which shall lead in the development of policies, standards, curricula, and guidelines on capacity development initiatives for ICT literacy and competency nationwide. P a g e 3 | 30

The Digital Transformation Centers (DTCs) shall serve as the physical venues where the courses designed by the ICT Academy can be accessed.

In addition, this year the DICT shall launch the Skills Window PH which is an integrated social community, learning management, and job sourcing platform that will make both skills and jobs accessible to Filipinos nationwide. In effect, the general public may acquire job-ready skills through the certification programs made accessible through the Skills Window PH.

The Basic Education Facilities Program aims to address the physical facilities requirements of all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide and to provide conducive learning environment through safe, secure and sustainable school infrastructures. As of May 2020 a total of 137,098 classrooms were constructed in various schools nationwide. Also, 1,906 school workshop buildings and other school facilities were constructed, rehabilitated and improved.

The DepEd Learning Continuity Plan has four modalities which can be adopted to ensure that learning will continue in spite of restrictions for face to face classes in the upcoming school year. Teachers are being trained in blended learning methodologies to enable them to make sure that learners will adopt to the appropriate modality to their situation.

P a g e 4 | 30

To support the LCP, 271,538 ICT equipment have been delivered to schools as of May 2020. Another set of 119,850 ICT equipment have been procured and will be delivered before the end of the year. Another set of 36,676 ICT equipment is currently being procured that will increase the number of schools with ICT equipment from 93% to 98.7%. These are in addition to the 1,042,575 computer devices that have already been distributed across 44,155 public schools under the DepEd Computerization Program.

Parallel to this are efforts to connect schools to the internet jointly undertaken by

DepEd and the Department of Information and Communications Technology. Procurement is currently ongoing to connect 7,000 schools that will increase the number of connected schools from 48% to 63%.

Production of TV and Radio based lectures are also ongoing that will allow the Department to reach learners who have no access to computers and the internet.

DEPED is also ensuring Learning Continuity by providing immediate response and support to schools. School facilities are being constructed and repaired to ensure proper lighting and ventilation inside the classrooms. Also, health-related infrastructures and other interventions are also being prioritized.

• 20,359 School Clinics will be constructed including the repair of 13,573 existing clinics. • 156,850 Group Handwashing Facilities will be constructed including the repair of 98,963 existing ones.

• Provision of potable water source to 3,861 schools will be provided.

• Construction of 56,796 toilet facilities will also be prioritized.

P a g e 5 | 30

One of the mitigating measures in disaster risk reduction is the construction of

Evacuation Centers under the Evacuation Center Development Program. From 2016 to 2019, a total of P7.2 Billion was allocated for the construction of about 197 Evacuation Centers nationwide. As of June 2020, 129 Evacuation Centers were completed and 68 Evacuation Centers are on-going construction.

The government aims to build at least one evacuation center per province to minimize disturbance to school buildings being used as evacuation centers post-disaster. Out of the 81 provinces, 65 provinces have at least one completed Evacuation Center.

Primarily built as a measure for disaster risk mitigation, the Evacuation Center Development Program proved helpful during the Taal Volcano eruption in January 2020 and more recently for the outbreak of COVID-19 virus throughout the country.

63 Evacuation Centers were utilized as Health / Quarantine Facilities, capable of providing health monitoring and treatment to about 2,292 individuals. As of June 2020, a total of 1,686 persons were accommodated in the facilities.

The Center and Residential Care Facilities Infrastructure Project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development aims to give exemplary care and welfare services to marginalized and disadvantaged individuals, groups, and families including abandoned and neglected children, children in conflict with the law, street children, children with special needs, abused and trafficked girls and women, abandoned and unattached older persons, person with disabilities and deportees.

P a g e 6 | 30

In 2018, P1.4 billion was allotted for 210 projects in 71 dilapidated and congested facilities and in four (4) new centers. As of June 2020, 87% or 182 projects are already completed. Additional P114 million was allotted in 2020 for 32 projects.

Maintaining peace and security both from the inside and outside forces has been crucial for the country over the years. Through the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad or TIKAS, the construction of various infrastructure projects that will help the facility readiness of the military and police forces is given priority to ensure an environment of peace and security towards national development. From 2019 to 2020, a total of P7.1 Billion has been allocated for 297

TIKAS projects. Construction of 5-Storey Multi-Purpose Building (Living Quarters) in Camp Aguinaldo, is nearing completion.

The Tourism Road Infrastructure Program or TRIP is a highly-successful and long- running convergence program of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and DPWH that realizes Tourism Infrastructure Development mandated by the Tourism Act of 2009.

To date, a total of Php 104.5 billion has been allocated for projects from 2016 to 2020 developing about 3,667 kilometers of access roads. These projects are aimed at enhancing connectivity from gateways to service centers and tourism sites. As of May 2020, 1,950 kilometers of tourism roads have been completed.

P a g e 7 | 30

The role of infrastructure is vital in sustainable tourism development. In our Boracay Rehabilitation Program, for instance, the government is currently providing a safe and efficient road network throughout the island. Support infrastructure like pedestrian infrastructure (bike lanes), drainage and enhancements such as lamp posts and landscaping are being rolled out toward a more rewarding experience for locals and tourists.

The government remains committed to promote inclusive growth and sustainable tourism by providing road access to Community-Based Tourism Sites.

• The on-going improvement of access road leading to Kaparkan Falls in Tineg, Abra will further boost the promotion of Kaparkan Falls as a new community based

tourism site in the Cordilleras. This effort of the government will eventually spur economic activities, increase investments and provide livelihood to the community.

Also, roads leading to DOT-Accredited Farm Tourism Sites is a priority under the

TRIP as Farm Tourism aims to provide new revenue streams for farming communities as it advocates sustainable agricultural practices for recreational and educational purposes. The importance of educating and continuing to inspire our children to maintain a strong interest in agriculture and healthy living is key to a better future for agriculture and for the welfare of the next generations to come.

• The Maruaya-Dupitac-Calambeg-Estancia Road in Ilocos Norte is being improved to support the Piddig Food Factory, School and Agrotourism Farm which currently providing trainings on sustainable agriculture.

P a g e 8 | 30

• Also, being improved is the access road leading to Villaconzoilo Agri and Tourism Farm and Silawa Falls in Jaro, Leyte. With the help of resilient members

of Villaconzoilo Community Farmers Association, the farm was able to recover after typhoon Yolanda to become a tourism destination and a “supplier community” of high-value organic vegetables.

• The improvement of Access road leading to Lao Integrated Farms, Mt. Apo Trail and Balutakay Waterfalls in Bansalan, Davao del Sur will further attract visitors and farmers from all over the Philippines to experience and study organic farming

systems and technologies.

Road networks are being built and improved to service our farmers in the countryside in order to ensure food security.

A total of P38.6 Billion was released from 2016 to 2020 for the construction / improvement of 3,859 kilometers of Farm to Market Roads identified by the Department of Agriculture. As of May 2020, 1,540 km of Farm to Market Roads were constructed and improved.

On the other hand, a total of P2.4 Billion was released from 2016 to 2019 for the construction / improvement of 150 kilometers of Farm-to-Mill Roads identified by the Sugar Regulatory Administration. As of May 2020, 51 km of Farm to Mill Roads were constructed and improved.

P a g e 9 | 30

The Department of Trade and Industry has also partnered with DPWH to implement the Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) Program which aims to enhance road connectivity that links industry and trade development in priority economic and manufacturing zones in the country.

From 2018 to 2020, a total of P28.9 Billion has been appropriated for the construction and upgrading of about 1,009 km access roads leading to industries and trade corridors across the country. As of May 2020, 437 kilometers were completed.

• Presently being improved is the access road leading to Nasipit-Agusan del Norte Industrial Estate Special Economic Zone in Agusan del Norte. This road will connect Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental to Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.

• The completion of the Barbero and Service Road in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental has improved the connectivity of PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate to the port area thus improving the logistic network in Northern Mindanao.

Amid the impending threat in conflict affected areas, the government’s will to bring about lasting and inclusive development to every Filipino from all sides of the country is undeterred.

• The 19 kilometer Marawi Transcentral Road Project funded under JICA Grant has made remarkable progress since work resumed towards achieving the early completion goal by December 2020.

P a g e 10 | 30

• The ADB-Assisted Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project is composed of 7 road sub-projects including construction of Guicam

Bridge all located in Zamboanga Peninsula and 3 bridges in Tawi-Tawi Province. Upgrading of road connecting Alicia to Malangas; Tampilisan to Sandayong; and Lutiman to Guicam to Olutanga is on-going.

Included in the government’s priorities are various projects that enhance Inter-

Regional and Inter-Provincial Connectivity thru road network development.

• The construction of Mangatarem – Sta. Cruz Road or the Daang Kalikasan will enhance regional tourism flow from Region I, III and Metro . It will reduce travel time between Mangatarem, Pangasinan and Sta. Cruz, Zambales from 2

hours 30 minutes to 1 hour. The substantial completion of Daang Kalikasan instantly became a tourist hot spot in Northern because of the scenic view from the winding road on the crest of hills and mountains.

• The Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project which involves the construction / improvement of 11.6 kilometer road and construction of 3 bridges is targeted to be completed this year.

• The 16 kilometer Koronadal-Lutayan-Columbia-Matanao Road is an alternate route from the Municipalities of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and BARMM Provinces to Davao Region thru Davao del Sur. Travel time from Koronadal City, South Cotabato to Matanao, Davao del Sur will be reduced from 4 hours and 10

minutes to 2 hours and 20 minutes. The project is already at 85% and we are targeting to complete it by 2021.

P a g e 11 | 30

The construction of Sindangan-Bayog-Lakewood Road will reduce travel time between Provinces of Zamboanga Del Sur and Zambonaga del Norte from 6 hours

to about 2 hours. The project is 62% complete.

The government will build and lay the ground work for the 1,066 kilometers of new high standard highways and expressways in Luzon, Cebu and Davao with a total investment cost of 802 Billion pesos.

A total of 905 kilometer of High Standard Highways/Expressways in Luzon are targeted to be implemented/constructed in Luzon, which more than twice the 382 kilometer of existing expressways. The P633 Billion priority program of the government aims to reduce travel time between Ilocos and Bicol from 20 hours to just 9 hours.

• This July 15, 2020, the 89 kilometer -Pangasinan-La Union Expressway or TPLEX will now be fully utilized from Tarlac City to Rosario, La Union. Travel time

between Tarlac City and Rosario, La Union will be reduced from 3.5 hours to 1 hour and will benefit 20,000 travelers per day. And to further promote the development of Northern Luzon, a proposal has been submitted extending TPLEX by additional

59 kilometer up to San Juan, La Union.

• The east and west lateral connectivity is also being improved thru the construction of Link Expressway. The 30 kilometer expressway will reduce travel

time between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City from 70 minutes to 20 minutes and

P a g e 12 | 30

will benefit 11,200 motorists per day. The project is already 85% completed and significant portion of the expressway will be opened by the end of the year 2020.

• The 24.61 kilometer Arterial (Plaridel) By-Pass Road, which was fully completed last May 2018, is currently being widened to ensure safety of the motorists. The

construction of 1.12 kilometer Angat Bridge, 40.86 meter Tambubong Bridge and 1.06 kilometer road section is on-going.

• The Southeast Expressway, C-6 (Phase I) will reduce travel time from Bicutan to Batasan from 1 hour 50 minutes to 26 minutes. Advanced construction activities for the workable area along /FTI - C-5/Diego Silang Section is on-going.

• The 5.58 kilometer NLEX Harbor Link, Segment 10 elevated expressway connecting McArthur Highway and C-3 was opened last year. While the 2.6 kilometer C-3 – R10 Section (Exit Ramp) was opened last June 16, 2020. Travel time from NLEX to , City (and vice versa) was reduced from 1 hour to just 10 minutes. This has also ensured timely delivery of goods to and from the .

• The 8 Kilometer NLEX-SLEX Connector road will connect from the end of NLEX Harbor Link, Segment 10 in C3 Road, City, passing PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila up to Skyway Stage 3. The project is on-going and targeted to be completed next

year.

• The 18.83 kilometer Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 aims to decongest traffic in Metro Manila especially EDSA, C5 and other major roads in Metro Manila by as

much as 55,000 vehicles daily. Travel time from Buendia to Balintawak will be reduced from 2 hours to 15 to 20 minutes. The project is now 83% completed. We

P a g e 13 | 30

are targeting it to be operational from Buendia to Balintawak by the end of this year.

• The -Sucat Skyway Connection and Ramp Extension is being constructed to provide direct access to and from the elevated Skyway to South

Luzon Expressway through the Alabang Viaduct. The project is targeted to be completed this year.

• The 7.7 kilometer Manila Cavite Toll Expressway Project, C-5 South Link Expressway aims to reduce travel time from R-1 Expressway to SLEX/C5 from 40 minutes to 10 minutes. Merville to C5/SLEX section was opened last year.

• The 45 kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway aims to reduce travel time between CAVITEX and SLEX from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Laguna Section is already operational and the entire project will be completed within this administration.

• The 66.74 kilometer – Toll Road 4 will facilitate faster and safer travel to Laguna, Batangas, Quezon and Bicol Region and will reduce

travel time from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Lucena City, Quezon from 4 hours to 1

hour. Construction of the Tiaong Interchange in Quezon is on-going.

• The Quezon-Bicol Expressway is now already considered in the Supplemental Toll

Operations Agreement (STOA) of TRB as part of SLEX-TR5.

• The 15 kilometer Camarines Sur Expressway connecting the municipalities of San Fernando and Pili in the province of Camarines Sur which will reduce travel time from 51 minutes to 11 minutes is already ongoing implementation.

P a g e 14 | 30

The government is also enhancing the connectivity of the expressways to the national and local roads thru the construction of interchanges and access roads.

• The completion of Ciudad de Victoria Interchange Overpass Bridge alleviated the traffic situation/queuing of vehicles at the Bocaue Entry/Exit Toll Gate of the .

• The newly opened Tambubong Interchange in Bocaue, will offer another alternative for commuters at Bocaue Interchange bound for Sta. Maria, Norzagaray,

Angat and Pandi in eastern Bulacan.

• An access/diversion road that will connect the STAR Tollway up to Batangas Tabangao Lobo Road is also being constructed to further develop and expand

high growth potential areas in Batangas. Travel Time between Tingga, Itaas and Pinamucan will be reduced from 1 hour and 46 minutes to 30 - 50 minutes.

Since 2016, the government has been prioritizing and implementing various programs that will develop and expand pedestrian infrastructure nationwide. The bike facilities promote sustainability of the environment and wellness of our people.

• The Laguna Lake Highway was built with dedicated 3 meter wide bicycle lanes separated from the regular lanes by a 2 meter planting strip.

• The 46.6 kilometer Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway is also being built with separated or protected bicycle lanes.

P a g e 15 | 30

• The Leyte Tide Embankment Project involves the construction of 7,109 linear meters Storm Surge Protection Structure includes a 4 meter wide bicycle lane.

• Another project with provisions for bike facilities is the Davao City Coastal Road. It is an 18.2 kilometer by-pass road from Bago Aplaya to R. Castillo.

As of May 2020, 23,657 kilometers of roads were constructed, maintained, widened, upgraded and rehabilitated.

Construction of new bridges to augment the 30 existing ones across River, and Manggahan Floodway is expected to ease traffic in EDSA and other major roads in Metro Manila.

• Included in the program is the -Ortigas Center Road Link Project which includes the construction of a bridge to connect in City with the Sta. Monica Street in Pasig City. Once completed, travel time between Bonifacio Global City and Ortigas Central Business District will be reduced to 12 minutes. The bridge is 80% complete.

• Other bridges targeted to be completed next year are the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge.

P a g e 16 | 30

Bridging travel gap within the country’s scattered island groups, the Inter-Island Linkage/Mega Bridge Program will make Filipinos even closer and connected as construction of short and long-span bridges is seen to conquer geographical challenges.

• Implementation of Panguil Bay Bridge, which will be the longest bridge in the Philippines at 3.7 KM, is already ongoing. Once completed, it will only take 7

minutes to reach Tubod in Lanao Del Norte from Tangub in Misamis Occidental, using the bridge compared to the 2.5 hours it would take via the 100-km route Tubod-Kapatagan-Molave-Tangub Road.

• The Implementation for the NEDA Board Approved- Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge is targeted to start in January 2021. Once completed, travel time will be reduced from 25 - 30 minutes via RORO/ferry operations to 2-5 minutes via

the connector Bridge.

• Another project already approved by the NEDA Board is -Cavite Interlink Bridge. Detailed Engineering Design for this 32 kilometer bridge is targeted to be

completed in 2021.

• The 32 kilometer series of bridges that will connect the islands of Panay, Guimaras and Negros was already approved by the NEDA Board last January 28, 2020.

• The conduct of Detailed Design Study for the Cebu-Mactan Bridge (4th) and Coastal Road Construction Project is funded under JICA Grant and will start this September 2020.

P a g e 17 | 30

• The Panglao-Tagbilaran City Offshore Connector Bridge project aims to reduce travel time from Tagbilaran City Seaport to Panglao Island from 45 minutes to 15

minutes. Construction of approach roads and bridges are on-going.

As of May 2020, 4,959 bridges were constructed, widened, upgraded, rehabilitated and strengthened.

Every year, the Philippines is visited by an average of 20 typhoons. Due to the geographical position, our country has a long history of experiencing annual floods that had devastating impacts on both infrastructure and human lives.

Therefore a number of flood control measures were rolled out by the government to reduce flooding risks and effectively manage major flood events.

As May 2020, 8,941 Flood Mitigation Structures and Drainage System Projects were completed.

P a g e 18 | 30

Air connectivity remains one of the key factors for a country’s progress. And with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s two-fold directive to decongest our main gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and promote regional development across the archipelago, the Department of Transportation has completed a total of 180 airport projects since 2016.

Since the start of the Duterte administration, we have completed the construction of two (2) new international airports. We have one (1) international airport currently under construction, and (1) more international airport set for construction.

• Dubbed as the World’s Friendliest Resort Airport, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport’s new world-class Passenger Terminal Building was inaugurated on June 7, 2018 and is now catering to international flights. With the construction of the new terminal building, the airport’s annual passenger capacity has increased from 4.5 million to 13.5 million.

• Currently, the construction of the Bicol International Airport is more than halfway complete. The airport is being built on a 148-hectare lot and will have a 2,500- meter runway with a scenic view of Mount Mayon.

• The Bulacan International Airport, will help decongest passenger traffic at the NAIA. The new airport is expected to be operational within 4 to 6 years from the target start of construction this 2020.

• Also aimed to complement the operations of NAIA, a new Passenger Terminal

Building is being built at the Clark International Airport (CRK).

P a g e 19 | 30

• As we work on decongesting NAIA, rehabilitation works continue for its Terminal 2. Formerly tagged as one of the worst airports, the NAIA is now recognized as

among the most improved airports in the world.

• Another gateway seen to help decongest NAIA, the Sangley Airport was inaugurated on February 15, 2020. Construction of its additional facilities commenced on June 2019 and was completed ahead of its March 2020 target schedule. Sangley Airport caters to commercial cargo operations and is utilized for general aviation and turboprop cargo operations from 6AM to 6PM.

To increase the operational efficiency of the country’s airports and reduce daytime flight congestion, we have night-rated a total of 22 airports nationwide and we are targeting to have 13 more airports night-rated by 2022.

The government envisions the country’s rail network to further expand from 77 kilometers of operational railways to 1,900 kilometers benefiting around 4.5 million passengers daily. To date, six (6) railway projects are ongoing, one (1) for rehabilitation, and eight (8) more are due for construction.

• The Metro Manila Subway, the Philippines’ first-ever underground railway system, has started its mobilization works on December 2019 and the parts of its tunnel boring machine was unveiled last February 2020. The 36-kilometer subway will run from Quezon City to NAIA Terminal 3 and FTI in . It is set to commence partial operations by 2022 for its first three (3) stations, while the entire rail line is

targeted to be fully operational by 2025. Once completed, travel time from Quezon City to NAIA will be reduced to just 36 minutes.

P a g e 20 | 30

• The Metro Rail Transit Line 7 or MRT-7, which will serve commuters from Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, is now 59% complete. Once the rail line is

finished by 2021, travel time from North Avenue in Quezon City to Bulacan will be reduced from two to three hours to just 35 minutes.

• For the MRT-3, rehabilitation and maintenance works are ongoing and now at 49% completion rate. The rehabilitation works aim to restore the railway system back to its original design condition. Once rehabilitated, the MRT-3 will increase the number of its operating train sets from the current 15 to 20 train sets at peak hours,

double the train operating speed from 30-40 kilometers per hour to 60 kilometers per hour, and slash by half the time between trains from the current 7-10 minutes down to 3.5 minutes.

• After nearly two decades and three administrations, the construction of the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project is now progressing, with 48% completion rate. The 11.7-km extension line will cut travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite

from 1 hour and 10 minutes down to just 25 minutes. Partial operation for the first 5 stations is eyed by the last quarter of 2021.

• The Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) East Extension in Masinag continues to see progress, as the overall construction of the project is now 90% complete. The viaducts are already complete, while the design and build of the two new stations, namely the Emerald Station in Marikina and Masinag Station in Antipolo, are 96%

complete. Once completed, travel time from Recto, Manila to Masinag, Antipolo will be reduced from 3 hours via bus or jeepney to just 40 minutes

P a g e 21 | 30

• Stalled since 2009, the Common Station finally moves forward under the Duterte administration with an overall accomplishment rate of 44%. The Common Station

is a concourse area that will connect four major railway systems, namely, the LRT- 1, MRT-3, MRT-7, and the Metro Manila Subway. The entire Common Station is expected to be operational by 2022.

• The North-South Commuter Railway Project is a 147-km mass transportation railway system that will traverse through Clark, , Metro Manila, all the way to Calamba, Laguna. It offers a seamless connection of three railway lines: the

PNR Clark Phase 1, PNR Clark Phase 2, and PNR Calamba.

➢ The PNR Clark Phase 1 has already started construction works in Solis and

portions of Bocaue and . The project involves the construction of a 37.6-kilometer commuter railway from Malolos to Tutuban. Once completed, the commuter railway will benefit approximately over 300,000 passengers daily.

➢ The PNR Clark Phase 2 is a 53-kilometer extension from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga. This will feature the country’s first airport express railway service. The segment is seen to accommodate 340,000 passengers daily. Partial

operation of PNR Clark Phase 2 is set in 2022.

• The PNR Calamba is a 56-kilometer railway line from Solis, Manila to Calamba,

Laguna, The right-of-way and site acquisition, detailed engineering design, and

procurement for General Consultant are ongoing.

P a g e 22 | 30

PNR continues to improve its services, further extending its routes from Malabon City to IRRI in Laguna and now with a total of 29 operational stations. With the addition of new diesel multiple units and passenger coaches from Indonesia and Japan, PNR will be able to extend and serve more passengers at an economically viable cost. PNR continues its re-fleeting strategy that is aimed at increasing capacity and frequency of trips.

• The 639-kilometer PNR Bicol Railway Project will connect Metro Manila, Region IV-A (Calabarzon), and Region V (Bicol), reducing travel time between Manila and

Legazpi City from 13 hours to just 6 hours. Right-of-way and site acquisition and processing of the loan agreement for the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) are ongoing. Partial operability is targeted by 2022.

• Mindanao’s first railway, the Mindanao Railway Project, has already started its pre-construction activities for its first phase. Phase 1 is a 100.2-kilometer rail line that will run from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur. Pre-

construction works, and right-of-way and site acquisition are ongoing. Once completed, travel time between Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur will be reduced from 3 hours to just 1 hour.

• The Philippine Railway Institute or PRI will serve as the primary policymaking, planning, implementing, regulating, and administrative agency on human resource development in the Philippine railway sector. Since the start of its operations, a

total of 143 railway personnel have been trained, while 116 trainees have successfully completed and certified.

P a g e 23 | 30

To boost maritime commerce nationwide, the DOTr and PPA has completed a total of 189 Commercial port projects nationwide with 37 more are on-going. These port projects involve Port Development & Expansion; Construction of Port Operations

Building & Passenger Terminal Building; Installation of Solar Powered Lighting; Improvement of Power System and other related infrastructure supporting port operations and maintenance.

To increase the country’s connectivity and mobility, as well as establish new local growth areas for tourism, trade, and logistics, 164 Social and Tourism Port Projects have already been completed, while 76 more are on-going.

Inaugurated last year, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) is the country’s first landport. This new terminal serves as the transfer point for commuters from Cavite and Batangas going to general parts of Metro Manila.

Aside from the PITX, two (2) more intermodal terminals will be built. These are the Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange (TCITX) and the North Integrated Terminal Exchange (NITX).

There are also plans for future infrastructure projects such as the Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line 1 in , EDSA and Makati-BGC Greenways, Cebu Intermodal and Integrated Transport System, and Davao High Priority Bus

System.

P a g e 24 | 30

In 2019, within only 18 months, BCDA was able to complete Phase 1A of the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City. This unveiled the modern structures that we’ve seen during the 2019 SEA Games—a government building for back-up offices of various agencies to ensure continuous service for the people in case of a disaster; a state-of-the-art Sports Complex with the Aquatics Center, Athletics Stadium, and the Athletes' Village; the UP-PGH Polyclinic; The Residences; and the 1.4-kilometer River Park.

Before hosting the SEA Game, the Athletics Stadium and Aquatics Center were certified world-class by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Federacion International de Natation (FINA).

This year, BCDA is continuously building up access of the public to New Clark City thru the ongoing construction of the New Clark City to Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) Road. This road has a length of 12-kilometers and has eight-lanes, two interchanges, three bridges, bike and pedestrian lanes, roadway lighting, and linear parks. 2019 SEA Games’ Athletes, coaches, spectators, and sports officials benefited from the use of the road which cut travel time from SCTEX to Capas, Tarlac from 40 minutes to 10 minutes. The project is already 80% finished and targeted to be completed in October 2020.

Also being constructed is the 19.8-kilometer, six-lane access road that will connect New Clark City to the Clark International Airport. Phase 1, with a length of 5.33 kilometers is already 88% accomplished and targeted to be completed in August 2020.

Upon full development of all three phases by 2021, the road will create a direct link from the Clark Main Zone, Clark International Airport to New Clark City and vice versa.

P a g e 25 | 30

Further, a 4.54-kilometer, four-lane spur road to New Clark City will also be finished by October. It is currently 69.74 percent complete.

To strengthen the potential of New Clark City as an investment destination and an international training hub for sports, BCDA has lined up among priority projects the tender for the Operations and Maintenance of the Sports Complex and the selection of a joint venture partner for the development of the National Government Administrative Center Phase 2.

New Clark City, which played a key role during the 30th South East Asian Games, is now helping the country as a quarantine facility. The government building and Athletes' Village are currently among We Heal As One Centers. Showing its resiliency as a metropolis and its reliability for multi-usage, it has been scaled up to contain the community spread of COVID-19.

As early as February 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious

Diseases (IATF-EID) has already identified the Athletes' Village as a quarantine site following the urgent need then to find shelter for fellow Filipinos coming home from Wuhan, China, where the outbreak was first identified.

The role of the Clark International Airport has been significant in the successful repatriation of our countrymen amidst the pandemic. Since it started operations last June 5, it has become a major hub for returning Filipinos, receiving over 7,000 passengers.

P a g e 26 | 30

Envisioned to be the next premier gateway in Asia, a new passenger terminal building is being built by DOTR and BCDA. Phase 1 development will enable accommodation of an additional 8 million passengers, bringing the total passenger capacity to 12 million per year. With this, the Clark International Airport will be able to service the growing catchment area up North, and help ease air traffic congestion at Manila's

International Airports. The new terminal is now nearing completion and expected to be finished by October this year.

The operations and maintenance of the existing terminal is now being handled by the

Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corporation. Currently, LIPAD is continuously working on reinventing the Airport to offer world-class passenger travel experience.

With all these developments happening in Clark, we can see a zone that remains to be robust, resilient and safe. The presence of a dedicated Task Force, stronger testing capability, connectivity to vital infrastructure and the resilience of facilities, help fuel the momentum to push our country forward.

In view of the current situation involving COVID-19, implementation of infrastructure projects is subject to compliance with construction safety guidelines.

In addition to the regular occupational safety and health guidelines of the Labor Department in the construction industry, the following are among the special requirements and regulations for the protection and prevention against COVID-19 disease: daily monitoring of health conditions of the workers, health checklists, and exposure checklists; issuance of quarantine passes; physical distancing; discouraged

P a g e 27 | 30

sharing of hand tools and power tools; regular disinfection at work areas; and no deployment of workers with pre-existing health conditions including persons above sixty (60) years old so as not to compromise their immune systems.

Yet, it is comforting to know that during these trying times, many Filipinos, from all walks of life, have chosen to step up in the spirit of “bayanihan.” We have witnessed bursts of charity, and resourcefulness from various groups and partners all around us.

And because of this, hope will continue to emerge among us, in the midst of uncertainties for what may still be a very long battle ahead.

The national government, in partnership with the private sector and the Local Government Units, was able to execute the conversion of 11 public and private structures in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Laguna and Davao City into Mega Community Quarantine Facilities or We Heal As One Centers with total bed capacity of 2,584. Thirty (30) units of Container Vans were also repurposed into Mobile Rooms which can be used as additional COVID-19 Isolation Health Facilities.

We will be doing our best to make sure that those who are sick have access to healthcare facilities. Construction of isolation or quarantine facilities is being considered in the following areas:

• Cavite, Batangas, Quezon in Southern Tagalog Region • Cebu City, Mandaue City Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu Province • Tacloban City, Ormoc City, Maasin City, Biliran, Catbalogan, Catarman and Palo in Eastern Visayas

P a g e 28 | 30

As doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel are in the frontline of fight against COVID-

19, we are also building off-site Dormitory Facilities in order to provide them great respite so that they can continue to do their jobs safely and effectively. There are six (6)- units of Cluster Dormitories within the compound of the Quezon Memorial Circle, which comprises of 96 air-conditioned rooms with toilet and bath facilities and double- decked beds which can accommodate a total number of 192 Medical Personnel/Frontliners. Off-site dormitories will also be built in the Lung Center of the

Philippines and Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital.

Also, we assisted the Philippine General Hospital and Lung Center of the Philippines in refurbishing private rooms into COVID-19 wards, and utilized our resources to ferry healthcare workers to their respective hospitals and transport supplies and materials to the medical facilities that need them.

With our strong foundations, we must vigorously pursue sustainable and resilient development. At the heart of this an infrastructure development agenda for the Build, Build, Build Program that can help jumpstart economic recovery, one that would help the Filipino people to remain employed or find new opportunities for employment, including many of our returning OFWs.

Let me, on behalf of the Infrastructure Cluster, reassure you that while this pandemic may have disrupted the implementation of projects, with the right mindset, scientific advice, and our whole-of-government approach, we are still committed to complete many of our projects within the next two and a half years.

P a g e 29 | 30

As we start to open our economy to a path of recovery and resiliency, we earnestly seek the understanding and cooperation of each and every one for what we expect to still be a tough period ahead of us. This government commits to do its best in leading us through these adversities, but we also need, more than ever, the strong backing of the Filipino people. In these dark times, we have seen the Filipino spirit provide us a beacon of light that reassures us all that we will prevail in this fight and continue our commitment to provide a bright, prosperous future for our beloved country.

AS WE HEAL AS ONE, WE BUILD OUR FUTURE AS ONE.

P a g e 30 | 30