Crossing the Roads to Economic Stability
By Corrinne S. Mandilag
“We will continue with the Build, Build, Build program and complete what was started in the fastest possible time. At the same time, we need to look at the list of projects so that we consider and prioritize them to look for the high impact projects that can contribute immediately to the much-needed economic recovery.” This is what Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan said in an interview with One News. With a strong public and private work track record, the engineer was handpicked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to head the department. Secretary Bonoan was a former acting Chief of the DPWH under the Arroyo Administration, former head of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Tollways, and Undersecretary of DPWH. Working in the industry for more than four decades, the engineer has answered his calling to serve by providing strategic plans and outcomes.
His Route
Having worked with numerous private and public sector, Bonoan is 44 years in the zone. Starting in the early 1970’s after earning his degree license, he became an assistant secretary during the Ramos administration. He also served under the Estrada administration until his 2010 retirement as Senior Undersecretary. He has worked with private and public sectors prior to his duties in SMC as the former Chief Executive Officer of tollways. He supervised road infrastructures such as Metro Manila Skyway, La Union Expressway (TPLEX), NAIA Expressway (NAIAX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
Taking the U-turn
In July 1 2022, he succeeded Acting Secretary Roger G. Mercado. Bonoan immediately executed leadership initiative as he met with members of his department — bureaucracy directors, project coordinators, regional directors, secretaries and services staff.
The position is a homecoming for Bonoan upon accepting the appointment. First, he consulted Mr. Ramon S. Ang, the CEO of the SMC, upon receiving a call of duty from PBBM. It was a tough decision to make. Mr. Ang affirmed encouraged Mr. Bonoan to accept the position as the SMC head honcho believes that the country needs Bonoan. Having the longest lockdown in the region, the country is facing many challenges and the current administration will be “very selective” regarding infrastructure projects under the leadership of Mr. Bonoan.
The Growth Lane
“And then we will have to look into the pipeline and most likely select from the vital infrastructure projects, particularly on the road sector, which is the core function of the Department of Public Works and Highways to provide the much-needed support to the economic growth we are looking for,” said the new DPWH secretary.
Reviving the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program, Bonoan plans to carefully consider the merits of each project as he sets the road to economic recovery. His main goal is to complete the pending construction projects and reprioritize projects that ensure the stability of existing bridges. He also said in an interview with ABS-CBN Teleradyo that the department will keep a keen eye on auditing.
Addressing traffic-congestion is another important priority. The scheme will start with Manila-centric projects such as installing more road infrastructures in the metropolitan to connect with rural zones and lower the fare. Skyway, port system, alignment to the Eastern Corridors to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Expressways to Lucena, is what he considers game changers.
Being held accountable for what happened in the previous years, the “Build, Build, Build” project is a fraction of what must be completed. Bonoan himself consolidated the work behavior of the personnel under the DPWH. He affirmed that effective leadership springs from being a responsible leader. Bringing the idealism to reality, President Marcos’ friendly ties with China will serve its purpose to support the country’s infrastructure plans. Resuming arrangements with Korea and Japan will provide more loans with a low interest rate. Bonoan also has an eye on private-public sectors partnership, mounting agricultural and tourism industries.
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