Tugade to German entreps: ‘Trust Duterte’
He delivered his statements during the inauguration of the new Department of Transportation (DOTr) office at the Clark Freeport Zone on July 28. Tugade’s agency moved to Clark in response to Duterte’s pressing call to decongest Manila and bring governance closer to the grassroots level.
In his interview with Dr. Andreas Klippe, vice chairman of Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA), Tugade claimed that the– country’s economic zones are open to foreign investments. Due to Klippe being a German national, Tugade addressed the German community in particular, saying that the administration deserves the community’s trust.
Tugade also silenced claims that his agency’s transfer to Clark would cause trouble for government employees who had to travel from their homes to Pampanga.
Investors from all over Clark gathered on the grounds of DOTr’s new office to attend the ceremonial opening of this building. Tugade led the inaugural ceremony by raising the Philippine flag and reciting an oath of public service.
Also present during the inauguration were top brass government officials, especially from the DOTr.
In spite of the growing concern over Duterte’s anti-illegal drug war, the administration tries hard to court investments through its Build, Build, Build program. Build, Build, Build aims to usher in the country’s golden age of infrastructure.
The administration is also open to public-private partnerships (PPP), where private entities enter into a joint venture with government agencies. Recently, PPP has been enhanced as P4 (public-private partnership for the people), according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s conference held in Baguio City earlier in July.
