Thursday, March 15, 2007 Life-uplifting projects dominate P700-M infra projects
A TOTAL of 700 infrastructure projects amounting to over P700 million have been carried out by the city government from 2004 to present -- most of them intended to uplift the lives of those in the poor sector.
City Engineer Luis Despalo said an additional P50 million worth of projects are also expected to be bidden out this March. Of the total amount, P25 million have been submitted for bidding last March 12 and the other P25 million will be opened for bidding on March 19, 2007.
Despalo said the Office of the City Mayor has ordered the massive implementation of infrastructure projects that are intended to help uplift the lives of the poor sector and eventually hasten development of the city.
The construction of two-storey, six-classroom buildings, barangay halls, concreting of farm-to-market roads, drainage projects, water systems and improvement of parks top the list of projects being undertaken by the city.
The administration has appropriated almost P350 million for infrastructure projects in the 2007 annual budget, the first in the history of Zamboanga City.
The Office of the City Mayor said for 2007, Zamboanguenos can expect a continuity of massive infrastructure projects all over the city.
This year's flagship projects include the development of cemeteries, further development of the city's resettlement projects, barangay water works projects, a project jointly undertaken with the Zamboanga City Water District, massive flood control projects and the integrated bus terminal.
The city will also continue with the concreting and improvement of vital road links to Zamboanga del Norte and to the interior barangays, continue the development of parks and gardens and construction of school buildings.
In 2006, the completed projects include 63 slope-protection and rip-rapping projects worth P22.3 million and 54 drainage projects worth P26.3 million-all intended to alleviate the flooding problem in various parts of the city.
Also included in the completed projects for 2006 were construction/ rehabilitation of school buildings, rehabilitation of main market buildings, construction of covered shed at the Bagsakan Center and some barangay halls.
Several other projects are on going and are expected to be completed soon, Despalo added. (SE)
