President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday touted his administration’s Php8.3-trillion “Build Better More” Program, vowing that the projects will benefit the whole country.

In his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President highlighted that one of the keys to continuing economic growth is infrastructure development.

“So, we will build better, and more. Our 8.3-trillion peso “Build Better More” Program is currently in progress and being vigorously implemented,” the President said

“Ang buong bansa ay makikinabang sa isandaan at siyamnapu’t apat na proyekto sa ilalim ng Programang ito,” he added.

The chief executive also mentioned in his speech that 123 projects under the Build-Better-More program are new.

“Hindi lamang natin ipinag-papatuloy ang mga nasimulan nang mga proyekto. Lalo pa nating pina-palawak. Kaya naman, ang isangdaan at dalawampu’t tatlong proyekto dito sa Build-Better-More program ay bago,” he said.

Marcos said the flagship projects cover investments in the areas of physical connectivity, water resources, agriculture, health, digital connectivity, and energy.

The President likewise noted that physical connectivity infrastructure—such as roads, bridges, seaports, airports, and mass transport—accounts for 83 percent of the program.

“Our infrastructure spending will be at 5 to 6 percent of our GDP,” he said. PND