BUILD BETTER MORE: Transforming Philippine Infrastructure Program and Unlocking Real Estate Investment Potential.

As the Philippine government pushes forward with its “Build Better More” (BBM) program under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., infrastructure development is taking center stage—bringing a new era of progress, economic activity, and real estate growth across the country.

“Build Better More” is the current administration’s infrastructure agenda, continuing and expanding the “Build, Build, Build” program.

💡 What is “Build Better More”?

“Build Better More Infrastructure Program Philippines" is the current administration’s infrastructure agenda, continuing and expanding the “Build, Build, Build” program.

With over 194 high-impact infrastructure projects nationwide—spanning roads, expressways, railways, airports, flood control, water systems, digital infrastructure, and urban transport—the BBM program sets the foundation for inclusive, balanced, and long-term national development.

As the President said, the initiative is not just about building structures. It’s about building a better quality of life.

DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan

Build Better More Infrastructure Program Philippines

“Infrastructure will continue to be a top national agenda under the current administration,” emphasized President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., noting its vital role in stimulating both economic growth and job creation across the country.

He also affirmed the government’s openness to assessing existing infrastructure proposals and acknowledged the strong potential of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in accelerating the delivery of high-impact projects nationwide.

Providing further insights into these priorities, DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan presented a progress report during the Post-SONA Forum held on July 25, 2023 at Hilton Hotel, Pasay City.

In his presentation, Secretary Bonoan highlighted the significant milestones achieved during the first full year of the Build Better More initiative under President Marcos Jr.’s leadership.

From July 2022 to May 2023, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) accomplished the following:

• Over 4,000 kilometers of roads built, improved, or rehabilitated across various regions;

• Nearly 500 bridges constructed, upgraded, or reinforced;

• Completion of more than 2,100 flood mitigation structures, protecting communities from climate-related risks;

• Delivery of 4,038 new classrooms to support public education;

• Construction of 216 kilometers of farm-to-market roads and 8 kilometers of farm-to-mill access roads, boosting rural connectivity and agricultural trade;

• Completion of 55 evacuation centers to strengthen disaster preparedness;

• Installation of 6,002 rainwater collection systems to promote water conservation and resilience.

These infrastructure efforts not only reinforce the government’s commitment to national development but also open up countless new opportunities in real estate—making this a crucial time to invest in areas benefiting from these transformative projects.

LUZON SPINE EXPRESSWAY NETWORK (LSEN) PROGRAM

What is LSEN of the Build Better More Infrastructure Program Philippines?

This mega-roadway design connects existing major expressways—including NLEX, SCTEX, TPLEX, SLEX, Skyway stages, NLEX–SLEX Connector, Cavitex–C‑5 Link, CALAX, and more—with new corridors such as CLLEX and SLEX Toll Roads 4 & 5, creating a unified north‑south backbone across Luzon.

⏱ Key Impacts and Travel Time Reductions

Once completed, LSEN will significantly improve inter-regional travel:

• Ilocos to Bicol: from 20 hours → ~9 hours

• Rosario (Pangasinan) to San Juan (La Union): from 90 min → ~40 min via TPLEX extension

• SLEX to NLEX via Connector: from 2 hours → ~20 minutes

• CAVITEX–SLEX transit: reduced to ~35 minutes via the Cavite–Laguna Expressway, currently at ~59% completion and slated for completion next year

LSEN’s Major Components & Progress

Key expressways comprising LSEN include:

• Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) – Phase 1 (Tarlac to Cabanatuan, ~30 km) expected operational by July 2025; Phase 2 heading toward San Jose in progress.

• Cavite–Laguna Expressway (CALAX) – 44.6 km corridor now ~61% done; travel reduced between Kawit (CAVITEX) and Mamplasan (SLEX) from 2 hours to ~35 minutes.

• NLEX–SLEX Connector Road – 7‑km elevated link, partially operational (C3‑España opened March 2023; España–Magsaysay in October 2023), expected to eliminate EDSA congestion by cutting travel to 20 minutes.

• SLEX Toll Road 4 (TR4) & TR5 – extending SLEX further to Lucena and Sorsogon with projected openings from 2026 onwards

Inter-Island Linkage Bridge Program

Inter‑Island Linkage Bridge Program: Building Bridges, Connecting Homes & Investments

The Inter‑Island Linkage Bridge Program is a key infrastructure initiative under the Philippines’ Build Better More strategy. It features a series of strategic bridge projects designed to physically link major islands and streamline travel, commerce, and real estate opportunities.

Included in the program are 12 bridge projects ranging from short local links to mega crossings over sea lanes. These are intended to eliminate connectivity gaps and create seamless travel across the archipelago.

Flagship Projects & Timelines

1. Bataan–Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB)

• A 32.15‑km cable‑stayed structure spanning Manila Bay between Mariveles, Bataan and Naic, Cavite.

• Scheduled to begin construction in 2025, with completion targeted by 2029.

• Travel time between Bataan and Cavite is set to drop from 5.5 hours to just 1.5 hours.

2. Panay–Guimaras–Negros Island Bridges (PGNIB)

• This network spans a total of 32.47 km, linking Iloilo → Guimaras → Negros Occidental.

• Civil works are expected to begin in mid‑2025, with full completion by 2030.

• Designed to dramatically reduce travel time between Panay and Negros and streamline access to tourism zones like Boracay.

Other projects include Guicam Bridge in Mindanao, Panguil Bay Bridge, Cebu–Bohol link, and smaller island connectors, all supporting regional growth and accessibility.

For Mitsubishi Corporation (Japan), the MMSP CP106 Main Contractor, along with its partners Colas Rail (France), Egis (France), and Hitachi (Japan), this event represents the official launch of site construction works for the Railway Systems.

Metro Manila Subway Project: Urban Rail Transforming Real Estate Prospects.

Dubbed the Philippines’ first underground mass transit line, the Metro Manila Subway Project is now under construction, stretching approximately 33 km from Valenzuela through Quezon City, Pasig, Taguig, Parañaque, and Pasay. The initial phase is set to feature 17 stations and serve an estimated 370,000 passengers daily once operational.

Construction officially began following groundbreaking on February 27, 2019, triggered by full-scale mobilization later that year. While initial plans aimed for operation as early as 2025, right-of-way delays and pandemic disruptions have pushed expected full opening to 2032, with only 14% completion noted as of mid-2024.

As of June 2025, transportation authorities report that 3 out of 5 major ROW issues have been cleared, specifically in the Ortigas, Anonas, and Barilla corridors, giving hope for a partial launch between Valenzuela depot and North Avenue station within the near future.

Future plans include extending the subway northward to Bulacan and southward through Cavite, with full integration into the North‑South Commuter Railway network and eventual connection to NAIA Terminal 3.

Ensure reliable data is collected and released to the public frequently regarding the condition, capacity, operations, maintenance, safety, and resilience of all infrastructure systems.

Build Better More: The Marcos Administration’s Vision for a Connected and Inclusive Philippines.

Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Build Better More (BBM) program represents a bold and transformative vision to modernize infrastructure across the Philippines. It goes beyond constructing roads and bridges — it’s about creating inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready communities that uplift lives and drive long-term national progress.

The BBM agenda aims to expand, upgrade, and innovate on the gains of the previous "Build, Build, Build" initiative by placing greater emphasis on connectivity, mobility, climate resilience, and regional equity. It supports over 190 high-impact infrastructure projects covering transport, digital networks, energy, water systems, health, and education — laying the foundation for a stronger, more connected economy.

Build Better More goes beyond just infrastructure — it reflects President Bongbong Marcos’ vision of a future-ready, inclusive, and well-connected Philippines, where growth reaches every region and progress builds better lives.

At the heart of BBM is a commitment to Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and fiscal sustainability, ensuring that infrastructure development is not only ambitious but achievable and inclusive.

This approach opens more doors for private sector participation, creating new opportunities in logistics, technology, and real estate development — especially in growth corridors and newly accessible regions.

From the Metro Manila Subway Project, Luzon Spine Expressway Network, to the Inter-Island Linkage Bridges, the BBM blueprint is shaping a Philippines where travel is faster, logistics are smoother, and communities are more livable.

For CHLP Realty and our clients, BBM is not just a government program — it’s a signal of where the future is being built. And where there is infrastructure, property values rise, communities grow, and lives improve.