IN THE years to come, more links through road infrastructures and other infrastructure facilities will be created to connect nearby provinces to pave way for economic growth and development.
These are vital in ensuring a sustainable livelihood for Dabawenyos.
In an interview, Department of Public Works and Highways Southern Mindanao (DPWH Southern Mindanao) spokesperson Dean I. Ortiz said these infrastructure developments are important in order to align with President Rodrigo Duterte’s vision of inclusivity and alleviation of Filipino’s economic condition.
Ortiz said Davao City is blessed with the infrastructure being placed in the city which can benefit many Dabawenyos.
Ortiz added DPWH has a total of around 1,200 infrastructure projects amounting to P 55.48 billion. This budget is around P12 billion higher than the budget allocated in 2017 amounting to only P43.6 billion.
“We from the department are of course overwhelmed with these numbers, and all we can do is keep up and double our efforts in making sure that the procurement and the implementation process, ” Ortiz said in an interview.
National Economic Development Authority records show infrastructure projects for Davao region have amounted to P94 billion.
Topping the list is the Davao City Bypass Construction Project of the DPWH amounting to P16.81 billion. The project aims in to improve accessibility and reduce congestion in Davao City.
The Davao Sasa Port Modernization Project of the Department of Transportation is estimated to cost around P6 billion in order to provide efficient seaport services for Dabawenyos.
The Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Project, still by DPWH, will cost around P25.043 billion and is divided into three segments of four-lane road concretion. The first segment, which covers about 7.26 kilometers was already started by DPWH in 2017 and is currently ongoing.
Key infrastructure project like the Mindanao Railway Project with its first phase of Tagum-Davao-Digos section amounting to P35.9 billion is set to start construction early next year. The railway project is expected to generate more employment and investments for the city.
The Comprehensive Flood Master Plan for Davao del Norte is now on the project proposal stages at the DPWH Central Office and will be funded by the Asian Development Bank.
The construction of the Davao-Samal Bridge is expected to start construction by 2019. The work will start in Davao, covering an area along the CP Garcia Diversion Road to the regional office of the DPWH. The landing point in Samal will be in Barangay Tambo.
With these infrastructure developments, Davao City will be driving toward an ambitious economic progress.