EXPECT a construction boom in the months ahead as government is pouring in more money for public infrastructure.
This was the message of Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson yesterday to construction industry stakeholders as he keynoted the opening of PhilConstruct Visayas 2014 in Cebu City.
“The Aquino administration is determined to increase investments in infrastructure of up to 5 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) by 2016 and that’s because we want sustained economic growth and generation,” he said.
Singson said that from P200 billion in 2009, the government has increased its infrastructure spending to P404 billion this year and plans to further increase the public works budget to P824 billion by 2016.
“Let me just mention that there will be many business opportunities for the private sector, but we will continue to institutionalize good governance and anti-corruption reforms which means more business for good contractors, and good-bye to bad contractors,” he said.
The public works secretary said engineers and construction professionals and skilled workers would be in demand in the Visayas when the reconstruction of Yolanda-affected areas go on full swing.
“We estimate the need for housing reconstruction at about P182 billion. This will be followed by livelihood support of about P116 billion.”
He said the Department of Public Works and Highways is now hiring 120 engineers for Regions 6, 7 and 8.
When asked about the possibility of having a third Mactan Bridge in the DPWH menu, Singson said that they are still studying the options available.
“We’re considering several options. If I’m not mistaken, three or four options. So wala pang final alignment,” he told reporters./ UP Cebu interns Gerriane Rizon and Angeli Sarmiento
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