In the wake of the recent car crash at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) — allegedly caused by substandard bollards — and amid mounting public concern over the rising number of road accidents nationwide, Kaunlad Pinoy Partylist (#133) has issued a strong call for sweeping reforms in how the country’s infrastructure is built, funded and maintained.

“Recent headlines about the NAIA bollard failure and the disturbing surge in road accidents are not isolated incidents,” the partylist said in a statement to the DAILY TRIBUNE. “They reflect a deeper systemic problem where infrastructure decisions are too often treated as quick deals rather than long-term commitments to public safety.”

Kaunlad Pinoy, which has long championed Filipino entrepreneurs and economic empowerment, emphasized that its vision of national progress demands a steadfast commitment to quality, safety and integrity — especially when public-private partnerships are involved.

“Infrastructure is not just a business — it’s a public promise,” the statement continued. “When shortcuts are taken in procurement, quality control, and enforcement, it’s the Filipino people who pay the ultimate price.”

“This is not about election talking points,” said first nominee Kuya Choi. “It’s about protecting lives. We’ve witnessed too many tragedies caused by weak standards and shady contracts. It’s time to stop sweeping these issues under the rug.”

Kaunlad Pinoy’s action plan focuses on three critical reforms: enforcing stricter procurement standards, ensuring transparency in government contracting, and adopting long-term planning that prioritizes durability and public safety over profit.

The recent NAIA incident, in which an SUV crashed through a bollard meant to serve as a protective barrier, sparked public outrage after reports surfaced that the bollards were allegedly substandard. Social media users quickly seized on the bollards as a symbol of deeper government inefficiency and complacency.

‘Infrastructure built right. Contracts done right. Lives protected.’

Kaunlad Pinoy also connected the incident to the broader trend of rising road fatalities across the country, citing poorly maintained roads, unclear traffic markings, and weak law enforcement as major contributing factors.

“Whether it’s a road, an airport, or a simple safety bollard, every peso of taxpayer money must be spent with accountability and long-term value in mind,” the partylist stressed. “We must stop viewing infrastructure as a money-making scheme and start seeing it as a service to the people.”

“Infrastructure built right. Contracts done right. Lives protected,” the statement concluded. “That’s the business mindset Kaunlad Pinoy stands for.”