Game changer

Infrastructure will play a huge part in the country’s bid for an economic rebound.

In a just released report, property consultancy firm Colliers Philippines emphasized that the economy’s 9.5 percent contraction last year is its worst performance since World War II, with many of the major sectors, including property, badly affected.

It revealed that office leasing remains challenging, with vacancy reaching 9.1 percent in 2020 from 4.3 percent in 2019; condominium pre-sales reaching their lowest since 2013; hotel occupancies still at around 20 percent as foreign arrivals declined by 82 percent, and mall vacancies in Metro Manila still at 14 percent last year.

But the Colliers’ report said government’s projected rebound in gross domestic product would partly hinge on the implementation of major infrastructure projects, including San Miguel Corp.’s Skyway Stage 3 which has already opened.

Colliers explained that especially for the property market, infrastructure would play a major role in paving the proverbial road to recovery, so office and condominium developers should maximize their projects’ proximity to these infrastructure projects which are scheduled to be completed in 12 to 36 months.

And why? The new roads will reduce travel time across Metro Manila. Here is a list of the travel times compiled by Colliers from various sources: Skyway Stage 3, from three hours to 30 minutes; BGC-Ortigas Link Bridge, from one hour to 11 minutes; LRT-2 East Extension, from three hours to 40 minutes; Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, from one hour to 12 minutes; NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, from two hours to 20 minutes; NLEX Harbor Link, from two hours to 20 minutes; MRT Line 7, from three hours to 35 minutes; Pasig River Expressway, from two hours to 10 minutes, and the Metro Manila Subway, from 1.5 hours to 45 minutes.

The report said that the implemented projects would provide better access to properties, while the infrastructure plans of the national government would likely dictate the direction of real estate developments even after the pandemic is under control.

It emphasized the need for quality infrastructure which, Colliers said, is reflected in the country’s global ranking. Data from the World Economic Forum showed that the Philippines ranked 96th in infrastructure out of 141 countries in 2019, down from 92nd in 2018.

Unfortunately, public construction was delayed due to the pandemic, resulting in a 10 percent contraction in 2020 from negative 3.6 percent in 2019. It said that the National Economic and Development Authority has listed 104 infrastructure projects that are likely to be implemented even beyond 2022.

The report referred to a study released by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, which says that the Philippines loses about P3.5 billion daily due to traffic congestion. And if the traffic situation remains unsolved, the country could lose as much as P5.4 billion a day by 2035.

There is no doubt that the new roads that are being built will help ease traffic congestion because many of them will redirect traffic flow out of traditionally busy highways like EDSA.

A good infrastructure project is a game changer. If there are many alternative routes that one can take, private vehicle owners can live in the north and work in the south without having to spend so much time on the road. As I mentioned in a previous column, with Skyway Stage 3, I can leave my house in the north 45 minutes before my meeting and still make it on time for my meeting in Makati. Before, I had to leave at least two hours before my scheduled meeting. The extra one and a half hour I can now devote to other productive endeavors. Imagine the multiplier effect that one infrastructure project can have on the economy.

But then, not everyone has a private vehicle. And so we need more alternative public transport. Railways are, of course, one. In Japan, where public transports are very efficient and I would like to emphasise always on time, people can live outside the city or in places that are four hours away by land transport because of the country’s efficient rail transport system. Soon, we will have the MRT Line 7 which can provide easy access for those residing in Bulacan and Caloocan because it will be connected to the North Avenue station where MRT Line 3 is.

Staying safe

With the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines into the country, Filipinos are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, it will take some time before everyone gets vaccinated. Right now, the priority are the frontliners given the limited supply.

In the meantime, what do we do? We still, as such, have to observe the health protocols – stay at home, go out only if it is absolutely necessary, and if we go out, make sure that we have our masks and face shields on.

Cleanliness is also part of the health protocol.

Quezon City Councilor Candy Medina of District 2, which unfortunately has among the highest number of active COVID-19 cases, continues to give out hygiene kits to make sure that the residents maintain their personal cleanliness which is necessary to protect them from the virus.

The kits, which contain items such as alcohol, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, face towels, nail cutter, comb, face masks, and face shields, are part of the “Care Para sa Masa” program which provides essential hygiene supplies to QC citizens to reinforce the importance of maintaining personal cleanliness and protecting themselves against the coronavirus.

The five barangays of District 2 under Medina’s jurisdiction, which are in the northern part of Quezon City, are considered as the most densely populated in the city, with a total of nearly two million people.

Recently, the chairperson of the committee on tourism, cultural affairs and heritage of the 21st City Council passed an ordinance declaring the third week of March as “Hygiene and Sanitation” Week.

Medina said the measure is not just to commemorate a year that challenged the healthcare system, but also serves as a reminder that the government and its people should continue to find ways to stay safe from the dreaded virus.

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