Senator JV Ejercito renews push for Masterplan for Infrastructure Development Act

Senate Senior Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito on Thursday reiterated his push for the immediate approval of Senate Bill No. 2, or the Masterplan for Infrastructure Development (MIND) Act, saying a long-term infrastructure roadmap is key to expanding economic growth, creating sustainable jobs, and ensuring development reaches more parts of the country.

Speaking during the joint public hearing of the Senate Committees on Economic Affairs, Public Works, and Finance, Ejercito said the proposed measure would help spread investments beyond the country's traditional growth centers.

“This will hit two birds with one stone… Sa tingin ko, ito ang magiging susi. This will really stimulate economic growth all over the country. This will spread out the development. Hindi lang sa Metro Manila, hindi lang sa Cebu, hindi lang sa Davao ang centers of growth. Dapat maikalat po ito, like for example, dun po sa ibang areas ng Mindanao,” Ejercito said.

"Ang railway at mass transit ang susi sa mas mabilis na paggalaw ng tao, negosyo, at ekonomiya. Ang infrastructure development ay hindi lang para sa kasalukuyang administrasyon, ito ay para sa susunod na henerasyon ng mga Pilipino," he added.

The MIND Act proposes the creation of a permanent Comprehensive Infrastructure Development Masterplan and a Masterplan for Infrastructure Development (MIND) Council to oversee major infrastructure projects. The measure aims to ensure that infrastructure planning remains coordinated, data-driven, transparent, and insulated from changes in political leadership.

Ejercito also stressed that government spending should focus on generating long-term employment and livelihood opportunities instead of depending primarily on cash assistance programs.

“Huwag naman tayong umasa na lang sa programang ayuda. Kailangan natin ng disenteng trabaho at hanapbuhay in the long run that is sustainable. Ang ayuda po, panandalian, hindi po ‘yan sustainable. Ang gusto natin, tunay na trabaho at hanapbuhay upang maiangat ang antas ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.

While acknowledging that the government has already established the policy framework through Republic Act No. 12145, or the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) Law, and Executive Order No. 72, Ejercito said passing the MIND Act remains necessary to institutionalize long-term infrastructure planning. He noted that the measure is among his priority bills in the 20th Congress.

The senator also recalled that during deliberations on the DepDev Law, he proposed the inclusion of the country's long-term infrastructure vision, goals, and strategies in the Long-term Development Framework.

"Kung titingnan natin ang ating mga karatig-bansa sa ASEAN, makikita natin kung gaano na tayo napag-iwanan sa infrastructure development. Hindi ito rocket science. Nagkaroon sila ng malinaw na direksyon at pangmatagalang plano. Panahon na para gawin din natin iyon," he added.

Ejercito, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, also vowed to end the practice of last-minute budget insertions during bicameral conference committee deliberations and push for greater participation of local governments in identifying priority infrastructure projects.

"Hindi na tayo tatanggap ng mga insertions sa bicam. Sisiguraduhin nating may boses ang ating regional development councils at mga local government sa pagpili ng mga proyektong ipatutupad. Hindi na puwedeng may mga proyektong ipinapasok na hindi alam o hindi prayoridad ng mismong komunidad," he said.

He said the controversy surrounding flood control projects highlighted weaknesses in infrastructure planning, project monitoring, and accountability, making the passage of the MIND Act even more pressing.

At the same time, Ejercito said officials involved in alleged irregularities should be held accountable, but stressed that the controversy should not derail infrastructure development.

“Ayusin natin ang sistema. Panagutin ang dapat managot. Pe