MANILA - Senators are confident that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under Secretary Manuel Bonoan will continue and improve on the projects of its former chief and now-Senator Mark Villar.

During a public hearing on Monday conducted by the Committee on Public Works, Senator Christopher Go recalled how the Duterte administration prioritized public infrastructures through the "Build, Build, Build" program.

"It is with great joy that President Marcos promised to continue projects under the "Build, Build, Build" program. Patunay lamang ito kung gaano ka-importante ang mga infrastructure project na ito sa pagbangon muli ng ating bansa (This proves how important these infrastructure projects are for the country to rise again)," Go said.

Bonoan shared with the committee that they are decongesting areas along the main thoroughfares that connect provinces.

"One of the focuses of this administration is to address traffic congestion problems of inter-regional connections so that we can provide an unimpeded, safe, and efficient travel from one region to another," Bonoan said.

Undersecretary Emil Sadain said the DPWH plans to implement 44 flagship projects under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., some of them started during the previous administration.

"As mentioned by Secretary Bonoan, there are still more flagship projects that have to be conceptualized and implemented which will basically focus on agricultural development and food production," Sadain said.

The projects include flood control projects in Metro Manila and along 18 major river basins all over the country.

Sadain said 30 projects are under the Unified Project Management Office; one project under Technical Services; seven under Regional Operations; four under Public-Private Partnership; and two under Mixed Financing.

Committee chair Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. said the Senate will support the DPWH so that Filipinos can enjoy the previous administration's "Build, Build, Build" promises, while giving credit to Villar who was seated beside him. (PNA)