Agile Infrastructure Delivery Act (Aida)

Scuntr Ofice of the sectarg TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG -4 P1:17 SENATE RECENCO 81 S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT MANDATING ROUND-THE-CLOCK CONSTRUCTION FOR PRIORITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, WHERE ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE, TO AVOID DELAYS AND PUBLIC DISRUPTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Infrastructure development is a cornerstone of national progress, but when projects are delayed, the cost is shouldered not just by government-but by the public: in daily traffic, lost income, disrupted services, and diminished national competitiveness. The Agile Infrastructure Delivery Act (AIDA) seeks to address one of the root inefficiencies in the country's public works delivery system: the length of time it takes to complete infrastructure. It proposes a simple but transformative reform— mandating round-the-clock construction operations for priority infrastructure projects where feasibility studies affirm that time saved translates to real public benefit. The proposed measure applies to priority infrastructure projects, including those identified under the Infrastructure Flagship Program (IFP), approved by the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), or declared strategic by the President or relevant agencies. These are not ordinary projects - they are high-impact investments with far-reaching implications for national mobility, economic growth, and disaster resilience. Delay in these projects is economically and socially harmful. Importantly, the bill provides clear criteria for coverage: only where feasibility or economic studies justify the benefit of acceleration should 24/7 operations be

implemented. This avoids unnecessary cost increases for projects that do not benefit from speed, while compelling government to act urgently on those that do. International experience supports the need to rethink how governments approach infrastructure timelines. In Japan, where dense urban development demands precision and speed, infrastructure agencies consistently adopt methods that emphasize minimizing disruption and accelerating delivery. While many projects employ extended shift schedules and nighttime construction as standard practice, one particularly striking case illustrates the potential of disciplined execution and strategic night operations. On March 15, 2013, Tokyu Railways successfully undertook an overnight realignment between Shibuya and Daikanyama Stations, relocating a key portion of the Toyoko Line underground. In just one night-over the course of approximately four hours-1,200 workers executed the operation using the Shifting Track Right Under Method (STRUM), a technique involving weeks of planning and precise execution during off-service hours. Tracks were lowered into a newly constructed tunnel and fully reconnected by morning, with minimal impact to public transit operations. 1 The operation demonstrated how extensive pre-planning, coordinated labor deployment, and tight shift execution can yield seamless, high-stakes infrastructure upgrades with almost no disruption to public service. More importantly, it shows how much value can be derived from maximizing night operations, especially for works that are logistically difficult or disruptive to perform during the day. By unlocking the night as a viable and protected window for priority infrastructure, governments can accelerate project delivery while minimizing impact to communities and economic activity. This mirrors the spirit of the proposed law. While the Philippine context may differ in scale or capacity, the principle remains the same: with the right policy tools, shift structures, and safety protocols, round-the-clock construction can become not just possible, but essential, to responsible and timely infrastructure delivery. This bill challenges Philippine infrastructure agencies to modernize-to integrate shift-based Source: SoraNews24 - https://soranews24.com/2014/11/19/1200-japanese-workers-convert- above-ground-train-to-subway-line-in-a-matter-of-hours/

scheduling, labor safety standards, community safeguards, and environment-aware technologies into their project implementation frameworks. It also builds in accountability: requiring annual reporting and a sunset review after five years to evaluate the law's actual impact. The time for business-as-usual is over. In a climate of rising public expectations, limited fiscal space, and climate-linked infrastructure risks, this bill calls for smarter, faster, and more responsible delivery of infrastructure. In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Office of the sectarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 25 AUG -4 P1:17 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No._ Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT MANDATING ROUND-THE-CLOCK CONSTRUCTION FOR PRIORITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, WHERE ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE, TO AVOID DELAYS AND PUBLIC DISRUPTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Agile Infrastructure

2 Delivery Act (AIDA)."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

ensure the efficient, timely, and cost-effective completion of priority infrastructure 5 projects at both national and local levels. Where justified by sound feasibility or economic analysis, the State shall require round-the-clock construction operations to 7 accelerate completion and avoid public disruption.

Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all priority infrastructure projects,

9 including but not limited to: a) Projects under the Infrastructure Flagship Program (IFP); b) Projects approved by the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev); c) Projects declared as strategic, urgent, or high-impact by the President, local government units, or appropriate implementing agencies; and d) Any other infrastructure project-regardless of funding source or level of implementation-where delay would result in significant public disruption, economic loss, or critical service interruption, as supported by documentation or project assessment.

Sec. 4. Mandatory Round-the-Clock Construction. -

a) All projects covered under Section 3 shall implement round-the-clock construction operations, with no fewer than three (3) work shifts daily, unless exempted under Section 5; b) Prior to implementation, the responsible agency or LGU shall ensure that a technical or economic feasibility study has been conducted, demonstrating net benefit from accelerated construction, based on: 1. Avoided delay costs, price escalations, or penalties; 2. Time-sensitive public convenience or emergency use; and 3. Operational and labor feasibility of continuous work. c) Implementing agencies shall adopt shift rotations in accordance with labor laws and ensure site safety, security, lighting, worker amenities, and occupational health measures.

Sec. 5. Exemptions. - Exemptions may be allowed only in accordance with the

procedures, standards, and documentation requirements to be defined in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Act. An implementing agency or LGU may apply for exemption if: a) Round-the-clock work would cause significant and unavoidable disruption to nearby residents, traffic, or environmental conditions; b) The area is subject to regulatory or zoning restrictions that prohibit night operations; or c) Based on the results of the project's feasibility study or economic analysis, the added costs of 24/7 operations substantially outweigh the measurable public benefits of accelerated completion. In addition, round-the-clock construction may be reasonably suspended or discontinued in cases where: a) A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), injunction, or lawful directive from a competent authority orders the cessation or modification of construction activities; b) There is a declared force majeure event, safety risk, or condition requiring temporary halt of operations; or

c) Cease-and-desist orders, funding interruptions, or other legally binding causes prevent continued 24/7 execution. All exemption applications shall be formally submitted and reviewed according 4 to the procedures set in the IRR. A registry of approved exemptions, with 5 corresponding justifications, shall be made publicly available.

Sec. 6. Funding. - The project budget shall include allocations to support:

a) Additional manpower, night shift differentials, and supervision; b) Lighting, equipment, security, and occupational safety systems; and c) Communication and coordination with affected communities.

Sec. 7. Labor Welfare. -

a) The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in coordination with relevant agencies and LGUs, shall ensure labor availability and compliance with fair labor practices; and b) Workers shall be entitled to appropriate compensation, hazard pay, rest facilities, protective gear, and rotational shifts.

Sec. 8. Worker Protection and Inclusion. - All agencies, contractors, and

implementing partners shall uphold the rights and welfare of workers assigned to round-the-clock construction operations, including: a) Compliance with applicable labor laws, including night shift differential pay, occupational safety and health standards, and provisions on working hours and rest periods; b) Provision of secure, well-lit, and gender-inclusive rest and hygiene facilities on-site; c) Protection from discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), age, disability, ethnicity, or civil status; and d) Access to grievance mechanisms and fair labor practices, including the freedom to report violations without fear of retaliation. DOLE, in coordination with the DEPDev Infrastructure Committee, shall develop implementing guidelines to ensure inclusive, safe, and rights-based work conditions under this Act.

Sec. 9. Environmental Safeguards. - Round-the-clock construction activities

2 shall observe environmental standards and sustainability measures to minimize disruption to host communities and ecosystems. These shall include: a) Use of noise-dampening equipment and temporary barriers in residential or sensitive zones; b) Management of dust, vibration, light pollution, and hazardous emissions, especially during nighttime hours; c) Proper handling and disposal of construction waste; and d) Conduct of environmental impact screening or mitigation planning, as required by law or by the project's location or type. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) shall assist implementing agencies in ensuring compliance.

Sec. 10. Compliance and Penalties. - Failure to implement 24/7 construction as

required under this Act, without an approved exemption, shall constitute non- compliance. Subject to due process and the provisions of the IRR, the following penalties may be imposed: a) For implementing agencies or LGUs: withholding of project performance- based budget allocations or administrative sanctions, if found negligent in enforcement or reporting obligations under this Act; and b) For private contractors or partners: disqualification or suspension from bidding for future infrastructure projects, and liquidated damages for delays caused by non-compliance. The IRR shall define the enforcement mechanism, responsible oversight bodies, and process for investigating and resolving violations.

Sec. 11. Transparency and Reporting. - Each implementing agency or LGU shall

ensure that covered projects under this Act are subject to monitoring and public disclosure. At a minimum, the following information shall be compiled and published: a) Projects under active 24/7 construction operations; b) Projects granted exemptions, with the corresponding justification; and c) The results of feasibility studies or economic assessments indicating project eligibility.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) shall determine the appropriate 2 platform, frequency, and responsible entity or entities for data consolidation and publication. The DEPDev Infrastructure Committee may designate existing agencies 4 or systems, such as those managed by the GPPB, PPP Center, or other relevant bodies, 5 to serve this function.

Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from

7 the effectivity of this Act, the Infrastructure Committee of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) shall, in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of the Interior and Local Government 10 (DILG), and other relevant agencies, promulgate the Implementing Rules and 11 Regulations (IRR) necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. The IRR shall include: a) Criteria and procedures for determining project eligibility under Section b) Standards and procedures for economic or technical feasibility assessments under Section 4; c) The process, documentation, and timelines for exemption applications under Section 5; d) Labor standards and occupational safety protocols for shift-based construction; e) Monitoring, reporting, and transparency mechanisms under Section 11; and f) Investigation, adjudication, and enforcement mechanisms under Section 10.

Sec. 13. Review and Report to Congress. - The DEPDev Infrastructure

Committee shall submit to Congress an annual report detailing: a) The number and types of projects covered by this Act; b) Project timelines, cost performance, and delivery outcomes; c) Approved exemption cases and reasons; d) Observed benefits, challenges, and stakeholder feedback; and e) Policy and implementation recommendations.

In the fifth year from effectivity, the annual report shall include a comprehensive impact evaluation of the law. This reporting requirement shall terminate after five (5) years unless extended or amended by Congress.

Sec. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

8 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,