Barely a year into his second term of office, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has completed more than P1 billion worth of infrastructure projects in the city.
Estrada said Tuesday it’s part of his multibillion-peso Comprehensive Development Plan, aimed at cementing Manila’s place in the ranks of highly competitive cities in the country.
With infrastructure as his top priority since being elected in 2013, Estrada put up 84 projects in 2016 alone, 47 of which have already been completed.
“Our city has gone a long way from being a bankrupt, neglected city since we took over more than three years ago,” the mayor said. “As I have promised my constituents before, we will put up more infra projects and socio-development programs for them. More will come. We will not stop here.”
Last year, Estrada launched his development plan for 2016 to 2019 anchored on his “ERAP-G Plan” that stands for Environment, Revival of City Landscape, Advancement of the local economy, Poverty alleviation, and Good Governance.
It’s the blueprint of the Estrada administration’s focused and increased determination in working toward the “rebirth of Manila” and renewing Manila’s old glory and economic growth.
From January to December 2016, 84 projects worth P1.087 billion were completed or in near-completion. The list includes four new health centers, seven public libraries and markets, six basketball courts and sports complexes, and 20 City Hall-based structures with a total project cost of P628.7 million, the Office of the City Engineer said.
Nineteen of the 37 projects have been fully completed, the City Engineer added.
Separately, 47 road upgrade and drainage improvement projects worth P458 million were implemented in 2016, with 28 completed.
In 2015, the Estrada administration completed 95 infrastructure projects worth P922.2 million, excluding 44 road repair and drainage improvements worth P380.7 million.
In his first three years in office, Estrada completed over 150 infrastructure projects worth more than P7 billion, including 88 roads, 80 school buildings, and 39 parks and playgrounds.
Among these projects are 51 flood control and drainage systems worth P1.8 billion; 36 multi-purpose halls worth P223 million; and P75 million in street lights.
With a P600-million budget, Estrada also renovated and modernized Manila’s six public hospitals, equipping each with modern, state-of-the-art medical equipment.