Philippine government is spending more to improve the country’s infrastructure to sustain economic expansion and to generate jobs and livelihood. “We are not just putting infrastructure, we are making sure that they are oriented to support the key priorities of the government especially in economic development,” sai
Philippine government is spending more to improve the country's infrastructure to sustain economic expansion and to generate jobs and livelihood.
“We are not just putting infrastructure, we are making sure that they are oriented to support the key priorities of the government especially in economic development,” said Florencio Abad, Budget Secretary.
Abad said these are in the areas of tourism and agribusiness as well as the revival of the manufacturing industry.
In the fisheries sector where most poor people are engaged in, Abad said the government has identified 52 key fishing ports in the country.
“The investments are going to be made by way of access to these ports, the installation of cold storage and fishing facilities as well as utilities,” he said. “So infrastructure that is available is maximized to 3 times its value.”
Abad said the country is increasing the budget for infrastructure to $8.9 billion this year or equivalent to about 3.1% of the gross domestic product (GDP). Spending for infrastructure reached $6.3 billion last year.
“Next year, it will go further to about $13 billion or about 4% of GDP. And finally on our last year, that will rise to about $18 billion or about 5% of GDP,” he said.