Duterte not grabbing credit for infra projects

MANILA. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the inauguration of the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 project on February 28, 2019. (Photo grabbed from RTVM video)
MANILA. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the inauguration of the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 project on February 28, 2019. (Photo grabbed from RTVM video)

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, February 28, attributed the development of infrastructure in the country not only to his administration's hardwork and dedication but also to the help of other sectors.

In a speech delivered in Caloocan City, Duterte told his political detractors that he has no plans of grabbing credit for the improved Philippine infrastructure.

"Before anything, I'd like to talk about this penchant of political commentators and politicians themselves. Just a few words for them that we are not into a claim and credit syndrome," the President said.

"All of the projects that we undertake and will do for the rest of my term, we give our gratitude to the builders, the contractors, the partners of government, and we place it to the name of the people of the Republic of the Philippines," he added.

Duterte made the remark during the groundbreaking of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Connector Road project, and the inauguration of the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 project at C3 Road in Caloocan City.

The President said "nobody" can claim credit in the name of the people, stressing that his government is dedicated to further boost the country's infrastructure to wisely spend the taxpayers' money and for the benefit of all the Filipino people.

"Today, we celebrate another milestone in our 'Build, Build, Build' program with the inauguration of the new NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 and the groundbreaking of the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road Project," he said.

"Nobody can claim credit in the name of the people, it is their money and for all of us. Iyon lang ho just a reminder," he added.

Duterte noted that the P9-billion NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 project, a six-lane elevated expressway that is nearly six kilometers long, will connect McArthur Highway to C-3 Road in Caloocan and cut across Valenzuela and Malabon.

He said the new highway is expected to decongest Metro Manila by providing access to NLEX without the need to pass through Edsa or the Balintawak Toll Plaza.

"It will reduce travel time from Valenzuela to C-3 from the usual one hour to just five minutes. That’s heaven. And it will benefit around 20,000 motorists per day and will also serve as an alternate route for motorists and resolve truck ban problems," he said.

"This will definitely improve access and mobility in the area and result in greater socio-economic gains for our industries and communities. I am hopeful that the remaining portions of the NLEX Harbor Link Project will be completed within the next two years," Duterte added.

As for NLEX-SLEX Connector Road project worth P23 billion, it will reduce travel time between NLEX and SLEX from the usual two hours to just 20 minutes.

The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road project, which is an eight-kilometer, elevated four-lane toll expressway, will also reduce travel time from Clark to Calamba from approximately three hours to just one hour and 40 minutes.

"As our lead government agencies ensure the timely implementation and completion of all government infrastructure projects, I enjoin the continued active participation of our partners in the private sector. Now, more than ever, we are called [on] to demonstrate our bayanihan spirit and strong sense of nationhood," he said.

"Let us remain steadfast as we work together in forging a stronger and more progressive future for all Filipinos," the President added. (SunStar Philippines)

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