EdAngara.com - The Official Website of Senator Edgardo J. Angara

Senator Edgardo Angara stressed that the government’s plan to construct infrastructure and community-development related projects is a “smart investment” which can steer the country’s economy to greater heights.

Angara issued the statement following the National Economic and Development Authority’s announcement that it has approved five infrastructure and community development-related projects, including two in the government’s priority public-private partnership (PPP) list.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to use part of its P36.98 billion proposed 2013 budget to create and implement a rational road transport plan for decongesting vehicle traffic throughout Metro Manila.

During the DOTC budget deliberations in the Senate, Angara said, "Our roads are already over capacity, especially during rush hour. And the resulting delays due to traffic are costly to business and trade especially in Metro Manila."

Senator Edgardo J. Angara expressed optimism that the government’s plan to increase spending on infrastructure projects next year will further boost economic growth following the better-than-expected rate of 6.4 percent posted in the first quarter of the year.

According to Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, the government plans to spend a record P404.6 billion on infrastructure next year as it aims to push the growth rate to 8 percent.

"We must build on the momentum of robust growth through aggressive but smart spending," stressed Angara.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged the government to speed up the improvements to the country’s transportation network in the wake of the much-celebrated number one ranking of Boracay as the world’s top island for travelers.

“This is yet another cue for us to quickly rehabilitate our international airports and island-to-island transportation system,” Angara explained. "We must focus on making our travelers feel safe and comfortable while touring the country."

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged the government to increase spending on long overdue infrastructure projects, particularly transportation networks.

"We are still lacking in critical infrastructure, particularly road networks in the countryside, highways, airports and seaports to connect our islands," he said.

According to Angara, a well-planned transportation network is essential to spurring growth throughout an archipelago like the Philippines.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged urban planners, architects, engineers and builders to work on improving the physical surroundings of the Filipino people, as he spoke as guest of honor at the launch of the Technical Writers Group (TWG) and 2013 Conference of the Center for the Designed Environment Professions (CDEP).

CDEP focuses on interdisciplinary research and learning for the advancement of the theory and practice of architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, urban design, planning, fine arts, engineering and other related disciplines.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara identified tourism and hospitality, food security and infrastructure, human resource development, and mining as four key investment areas for Korean investors looking for opportunities in the Philippines. Angara talked about the bilateral partnership of the Philippines and Korea at the Philippines-Korea Development Business Partnership Forum held today at the Makati Shangri-la. The forum is organized by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and The Financial News.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara said that the Philippines must capitalize on long-standing ties and undertake more educational exchanges with Korea, during his keynote address at the Philippine-Korea Development/Business Partnership Forum.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Rogelio Singson to make the water district more friendly to private investment at a recent public hearing on bills regarding reform in the water sector.

Angara referred to Senate Bill No. 2997 or the Water Sector Reform Act of 2011, which he authored. The measure includes among its provisions incentives for private companies such as water sanitation companies, water service providers, licensees, developers and others who wish to invest in the water industry.

Senator Edgardo J. Angara called on the government and the private sector to work hand-in-hand to create world-class infrastructure that would boost tourism throughout the country.

Despite offering some of the best value-for-money tourist prices, the Philippines ranked 94th out of 139 countries in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2011 on a global scale, and 18th of 26 in the Asia-Pacific regional index.