MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte's P8 trillion infrastructure program remains a priority despite the the coronavirus pandemic, acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua said Thursday.

Build, Build, Build will be recalibrated to prioritize projects that will have a bigger impact to the economy and to job creation, Chua told reporters.

Construction will start once the COVID-19 pandemic is addressed, he said.

"The BBB will remain as one of key priorities of this government even post pandemic... It has highest multiplier effect so the rest of the economy will benefit," Chua said.

"The moment we are sure that we will not endanger the health of the people, the moment we address them, yes we have to accelerate those projects especially those with biggest impact to the economy and job creation," Chua said.

The country has been spending the equivalent of over 5 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) in infrastructure that resulted in the lowest poverty, unemployment and underemployment rates, Chua said.

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Returning overseas Filipinos workers can also find opportunities in the construction sector, Chua said.