ROAD right-of-way (ROW) acquisition remains a top challenge for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) when it comes to implementing public infrastructure projects.
Another issue that continues to loom over the DPWH is the insufficient number of contractors that are capable of undertaking “quality” infrastructure projects.
These were among the public infrastructure updates DPWH 7 Director Edgar Tabacon raised before 34 mayors who were present during the first general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Cebu chapter.
The LMP held the first session of its “partners for change” series on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. It kicked off with a discussion on the status of public infrastructure and peace and order in the province.
Aside from local chief executives, regional directors of national government agencies and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino were also in attendance.
The town mayors and officials of national government agencies took a pledge of partnership.
LMP local chapter president and Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco said this will help strengthen their move for a more holistic approach in addressing public concerns.
In his presentation, Tabacon explained the tedious process in the acquisition of private properties affected by DPWH projects.
These include the process of securing approval or clearances for the removal of trees and mangroves and the transfer or removal of existing utilities.
There is also the issue of unfunded ROW payment for properties affected, which results in construction delay or termination of the project contract.
In Central Visayas, there are six road-widening projects that need ROW acquisition amounting to P1.8 billion.
Four of these projects are located in Cebu and these need around P1.2 billion for ROW acquisition.
These cover the Punta Engaño Road in Lapu-Lapu City, N. Bacalso Ave. in Cebu City, the Mactan Circumferential Road in Lapu-Lapu City and the Antonio de Pio and Bogo-Curva-Medellin-Daanbantayan Road.
However, the implementation of these projects was hampered because these were not funded under the 2019 budget and the 2020 National Expenditure Program. It may also result in the termination of the projects’ contracts.
Tabacon said one of the solutions is to release first the funds for the detailed engineering design and the payment for road ROW, among others, instead of carrying out the ROW and civil work simultaneously.
Before actual construction starts, Tabacon said it is also important to secure first all the necessary permits and clearances to avoid complications later on.
He said they will lobby for these projects again since these are vital to Cebu, especially the circumferential road in Lapu-Lapu City.
“Very soon, the third bridge (Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway) will be completed by 2021 and more vehicles will be coming to Mactan. If our circumferential road will not be widened, there will be congestion and heavy traffic,” Tabacon said.
As for concerns on the insufficient number of capable contractors, the DPWH 7 encouraged well-performing small-time contractors to upgrade their level of contracting category.
Doing so will augment construction industries that are mostly composed of moderate- to large-scale private contractors that undertake government infrastructure projects. (RTF)