It is with pleasure that we share with you Stratbase ADR Institute’s Special Study entitled, “The Challenges in Transitioning to the Build Better More (BBM) Infrastructure Program”, authored by Dr. Epictetus E. Patalinghug, Professor Emeritus at the University of the Philippines and a member of the Board of Trustees of ADRi.

This paper examines the challenges faced by the Build Better More Program in transitioning from the Build Build Build Program and recommends ways to manage program expectations in the short run as well as on implementation issues or the next five years of the Marcos Jr. administration.

An assessment of the BBB performance shows that this infrastructure program lagged behind in terms of program operation and performance and lack of absorptive capacity among the implementing agencies. In a comparative perspective, the BBM program vis-à-vis the BBB program similarly manifests the lack of strategic coherence as the parameter and design of proposed projects change alongside with the change of government, recommending the need for a long-term infrastructure plan. Further, the Marcos Jr. administration should also build public confidence to its infrastructure program.

In essence, moving forward to improve the current infrastructure governance entails the following steps: issuing an executive order from the Executive branch to streamline the regulatory approval process; passing a law by the Legislative branch to mandate a long-term infrastructure plan; simplifying the procurement rules and regulations; and establishing a project monitoring and evaluation system.