Amid government hype
of its Build, Build, Build program, research group IBON noted that there has
been a conspicuous increase in public infrastructure spending in the Davao
region that seems to have favored Davao-based businessmen. The group observed
that close allies of the president have benefited from the government spending
surge by clinching a number of contracts.
IBON cited data from
the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
showing that the gross value of public construction in the Davao Region
increased by 17.6% from 2016-2017. The region had the highest increase of gross
value in public construction among other regions during the same period.
Among the Davao-based
businessmen is the family of former Special Assistant to the President and
newly-elected Senator Bong Go who through CLTG builders secured 20 contracts in
2017 for road networks in Davao, said the group. These were worth around Php3
billion in solo projects and joint ventures. In 2018, CLTG Builders also bagged
Php116 million worth of projects in Davao. CLTG
builders is owned by Bong Go’s father, Desiderio Go.
Another notable
Davao-based businessman is Dennis Uy who, according to the president’s Statement
of Contributions and Expenditures, donated around Php30 million to his presidential
campaign. Data from the Public-Private Partnership Center shows that Uy has three
unsolicited proposals in Davao that include the Davao International Airport
worth Php48.8 billion, Davao People Mover worth Php30 billion, and the Davao
Sasa Port Modernization Project worth Php18.7 billion. Another unsolicited
proposal of Uy is the Pasay City Reclamation Project worth Php62 billion.
IBON meanwhile noted that
other businessmen may also be gaining from the Build, Build, Build program. For
instance, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark
Villar’s father, Manuel Villar, through Prime Asset Ventures Inc. (PAVI) is
eyeing two unsolicited proposals worth Php213.3 billion. These include the LRT
6 Cavite Line A project worth Php56.3 billion, and the Cavite LRT Line 6c and
Sucat Line 6b Projects worth Php157 billion.
IBON reiterated that
while the country badly needs infrastructure, genuine development from the
Build, Build, Build program can only be achieved if it supports the development
of domestic agriculture and Filipino industries. The Duterte government should not
be beholden to its backers and instead pursue an infrastructure program that is
not profit-oriented and provides for the Filipino people’s welfare, said the group.
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