DPWH projects on hold

DAVAO. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao said 1,230 projects, with a total cost of P455 billion based on the National Expenditure Program (NEP), were put on hold due to the failed consensus between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the 2019 national budget. It can be noted, however, that some projects in 2018 and carry-over projects are still ongoing. (Photo by Macky Lim)
DAVAO. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao said 1,230 projects, with a total cost of P455 billion based on the National Expenditure Program (NEP), were put on hold due to the failed consensus between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the 2019 national budget. It can be noted, however, that some projects in 2018 and carry-over projects are still ongoing. (Photo by Macky Lim)

MAJOR infrastructure projects in Davao City and Davao Region were put on hold, not only because of the ongoing ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), but also because of the delay in the passage of 2019 national budget.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 10429, or the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), “release, disbursement or expenditures of public funds” and the “construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrant or similar devises for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds” are prohibited from March 29 to May 12, 2019.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 11 spokesperson Dean I. Ortiz said around 1,230 projects, with a total amount of P455 billion, based on the National Expenditure Program (NEP) were put on hold due to the failed consensus between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the 2019 national budget.

These “on-hold” projects include construction of roads, bridges, major flood control projects, and other public buildings.

"As for the 2018 projects, and carry-over projects from the previous years, padayon to sila," Ortiz said.

He said the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Project, a 2021-targetted completion-project financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), was already funded prior this year.

Ortiz added even if the budget will be approved around this time, the projects would still be covered by the ban, and would be implemented only right after the election period.

Meanwhile, the bidding processes for the 295 projects of the City Engineers Office (CEO) were also put on hold due to the Comelec order.

CEO head Joseph Dominic Felizarta said that majority are road construction projects.

“We had already requested the Comelec for exemption on projects that have ‘Notice of Awards,’ since these are (already) allowed (to be implemented),” Felizarta said.

Notable CEO projects, such as the Museo Dabawenyo, Davao City Records Management and Archives Office, Davao City Library and Information Center, and Davao City Investment Promotion Center are exempted since the biddings of these buildings were already made last year.

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