The administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has implemented a massive US$180 billion infrastructure-spending plan, called the ‘Build! Build! Build! Program’. The Duterte administration is looking to invest in up to 75 enormous flagship projects, including airports, railways, seaports, roads and bridges, to try and close the country’s existing infrastructure gaps, encourage investment and job creation, and boost GDP growth from 6.7 per cent in 2018 to 7-8 per cent in the coming years.

The 2018 World Economic Forum’s competitiveness report ranked the Philippines’ infrastructure at 97^th in the world. Prospective investors in the Philippines have often cited concerns with weak infrastructure and high utility costs. The Build! Build! Build! Program seeks to encourage more investment in infrastructure by boosting government spending on public-private partnerships, as well as increasing cooperation with overseas partners. However, funding of the infrastructure projects as well as the lack of construction labour are some of the challenges that the government will need to address.

This roundtable with key Philippine leaders will discuss the Philippines’ implementation of the public infrastructure programme, how the infrastructure projects are being financed and some of the key challenges it is facing.

Speakers include:

Ramon M. Lopez, Secretary of Trade and Industry, Philippines

Mark A. Villar, Secretary of Public Works and Highways, Philippines

Vivencio B. Dizon, Chief Executive Officer and President, Bases Conversion and Development Authority of the Philippines

Arthur P. Tugade, Secretary of Transportation, Philippines 

Alfonso G. Cusi, Secretary of Energy, Philippines - TBC

This is an invitation only event. To register interest, or for more information, please contact Aini Abdullah, Business and Policy Assistant: aini.abdullah@asiahouse.co.uk.