The curtain rose on the new year, and we are drawn into the captivating dance of fresh beginnings, where the air hums with the promise of untold adventures, and our spirits eagerly embrace the chance to script new chapters of our lives.

Amid all the hype about new beginnings, however, let's not forget about government projects and plans that got stalled or delayed along the way.

We're all embracing the "out with the old, in with the new" mentality, but that doesn't mean we should turn a blind eye to the pending work. It's like cleaning out your closet — eager to toss out the old stuff and make room for new threads — but you don't just abandon the half-finished projects started ages ago.

The year 2024 should be filled with not only fresh energy and enthusiasm but also a healthy dose of commitment to seeing things through. Let's pick up where we left off, dust off those plans, and give them the attention they deserve.

In the Philippines, we've become pros at turning lemons into lemonade when it comes to defective government infrastructure projects. Beyond the sighs, we've got to peel back the layers of these failed projects and those that seem destined for the same fate.

Among the many are the three dropped railway projects in Luzon and Mindanao under China's global infrastructure scheme amid tensions in the South China Sea; the substandard Iloilo bridge that collapsed; irrigation systems, dams, and regional airports.  We see thousands of potholes that grow deeper over time and cause significant damage to vehicles, including punctured tires, damaged wheels and misalignment, resulting in costly repairs for drivers.

There is the P73.24-billion Light Railway Transit Line 6 project — a 23.5-km rail system extending LRT 1 further to Cavite cities.

It seems there has been a change in plans for LRT 6, which was initially approved by the National Economic and Development Authority to be constructed along the E. Aguinaldo Highway. However, the project became unfeasible due to alleged right-of-way issues and overcrowding on the road.

Subsequently, an "unsolicited proposal" from an affluent businessman and politician has emerged, indicating a shift in the project's direction.

The plan is to construct seven stations — Niyog, Tirona, Imus Transport Terminal, Daang Hari, Salitran, Congressional Avenue, and Governor's Drive — south of Bacoor, including a passenger interchange station, with a provision for a future station, Patindig Araw, between Imus and Daang Hari.

Thousands of Cavite residents, for whom the LRT extension is being built, are indifferent. They will continue crowding on crowded buses that travel through the narrow and busy Aguinaldo Highway.

Whether it's that half-built community center, the road construction that seemed to hit a roadblock, or the public transport overhaul that's been a long time coming, let's pledge to breathe new life into these projects. They're not just concrete and steel — they represent better infrastructure, improved lives, and progress for our communities.

When you've got shoddy government projects, it's like a neon sign pointing to corruption. Sketchy designs probably got the green light because some contractors slipped some cash to a government engineer who was more than happy to pocket a bribe.

When you see subpar materials leading to crumbling cement and asphalt, it's a sign that a contractor took some serious shortcuts to get the job done. And who's left dealing with the fallout? You guessed it — us.

This new year, let's carry forward the lessons we've learned from the setbacks and delays. Let's be smarter, more efficient, and better equipped to handle the challenges that come our way. After all, the best way to welcome a new beginning is by finishing what we'd started.

After popping the champagne and setting off fireworks to usher in 2024, let's also raise a toast to government projects still in the pipeline. The government must roll up its sleeves, get down to honest work, and ensure that 2024 is not just about new beginnings but also about following through on its promises to build a brighter future for all.