‘Infra projects created 1.5 million jobs during pandemic’

MANILA, Philippines — Despite restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said its infrastructure projects have generated nearly 1.5 million jobs.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said the jobs were created from March 2020 to August this year through the agency’s Build Build Build (BBB) program.

“As we have earlier announced, BBB will be one of our key drivers toward economic recovery. We are glad that infrastructure projects across the country were able to provide much-needed livelihood opportunities, more so during this pandemic,” Villar said.

A total of 24,560 jobs were generated under the DPWH unified project management office, 70,661 in Metro Manila, 72,168 in the Cordilleras, 65,716 in Ilocos, 65,529 in Cagayan Valley, 125,330 in Central Luzon, 74,252 in Calabarzon, 181,501 in Mimaropa and 213,089 in Bicol.

At least 250,102 jobs were generated  in Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas and 345,887 in Mindanao.

The DPWH said the number is expected to increase by yearend with the implementation of more vital projects.

The agency said its projects generated 6.6 million jobs nationwide from 2016 to 2020. – Jose Rodel Clapano