The Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region VIII is looking to implement infrastructure projects worth PHP 43 billion (USD 0.8 billion) in Eastern Visayas in 2020 to improve the region’s roads and bridges network. The projects, which are envisioned to significantly affect the region’s development, are under the Department’s asset preservation program, network development program, bridge program, flood management program and special support program.
The proposed budget is higher than last year’s allocation for the region to allow the implementation of 1,246 proposed projects in six provinces of the region. Some of the proposed projects are tagged as a priority under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of the present administration.
Included in the budget proposal is the allocation for construction of the following:
- The PHP 330 million (USD 6.4 million) Mahaplag–Hilongos Road
- The PHP 300 million (USD 5.8 million) Tacloban bypass road extension
- The PHP 679 million (USD 13.2 million) Storm Surge Protection: Heightened Road and Tide Embankment
- The PHP 600 million (USD 11.7 million) Maasin Coastal Bypass Road
- The PHP 164 million (USD 3.2 million) Access Road Leading to Pinipisakan Falls in Las Navas, Northern Samar
- The PHP 1.31 billion (USD 25 million) Biliran Circumferential Road.
Meanwhile, RD Borromeo reported that out of the 1,245 projects in 2021, the department in the region was able to implement 1,221 projects. Of these, 894 are completed, 327 are ongoing and 33 are under for later release or have not yet started.
Some of the major spending in 2021 was for national roads, bypass, and diversion roads; construction, rehabilitation, widening, and improvement of 31 bridges; 75 flood control structures; and for multi-purpose and school buildings, local roads and bridges, flood control, and drainage and water systems under the local program.
(Source: Manila Bulletin; PNA)
