Last month, during the launch of the second edition of Night Owl: A Nationbuilder’s Manual, we also presented the Filipino edition of the book so that we can share the story of Build, Build, Build to more Filipinos, especially those who are more adept at our national language.
Soon, there will be Night Owl in Bisaya and Ilocano versions. We want to reach a wider audience and be able to communicate how the previous administration’s efforts, which the present leadership is following through, to heavily invest in infrastructure is benefitting our citizens.
It is worth sharing how through Build, Build, Build we were able to improve people’s lives and uplift communities, especially those who previously did not have access to or had difficulty accessing schools, markets, hospitals, livelihood opportunities, and basic services.
These books will also serve as an ode to two leaders — former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, a Bisaya, whose vision made possible the completion of 29,264 kilometers of roads, 5,950 bridges, 11,340 flood mitigation structures, 222 evacuation centers, 150,149 classrooms, 214 airport projects, and 451 seaport projects in the span of five years; and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., an Ilocano, who is keeping his promise to continue the infrastructure projects of the previous administration.
Soon, Filipinos whose native language is Bisaya or Ilocano can better appreciate the narrative of Build, Build, Build. This is important so that more Filipinos understand the importance of infrastructure projects — roads, bridges, classrooms, flood control structures, evacuation centers, airport and seaport projects — to boost local economy and open more opportunities for Filipinos especially those in the countryside.
We want to share to more Filipinos the story behind these projects, because this is their story, the story of our nation—the toils and challenges we had to overcome to be able to connect not only communities, but our islands, and Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao.
These versions of the book will also include a chapter on the digital infrastructure program of President Marcos under the Build Better More thrust — which builds on the gains of Build, Build, Build while incorporating a strong digital infrastructure program to ensure that all Filipinos will have access to affordable and reliable internet — which will provide Filipinos not only opportunities to learn new technologies but also access to online learning, telemedicine, online banking, and other digital services.
Looking forward to sharing Night Owl to our Bisaya and Ilocano kababayans.