By Prince Golez

Malacañang welcomed a proposal to grant President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers to fast-track the implementation of the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, also senior vice chair of the appropriations panel, filed House Bill No. (HBN) 5456 seeking emergency powers for Duterte to accelerate infrastructure development in the country.

“Sa tingin ko maganda iyong kay Congressman Salceda, kasi nga one of the reasons why na bumabagal iyong projects kasi iyong right of way,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told reporters.

“Nagkakaproblema iyong mga owners, ayaw pumayag; iyong iba nagti-TRO (temporary restraining order)… pero kung may powers na, dire-diretso ang trabaho,” added Panelo.

Salceda’s HBN 5456 proposes to grant the President special powers that would prevent courts to issue TROs against government infrastructure projects.

The bill also designates the chairman of the Bases Conversion Development Authority as the Flagship Program Manager to oversee the management and implementation of the program.