MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte -- Construction is now ongoing for 77 of the 82 regular 2016 infrastructure projects in the province as of mid-April, the Department of Public Works and Highways Southern Leyte Office (DPWH-SLDEO) reported.
District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia said the district posted a 43 percent accomplishment during the early part of 2016 as far as construction stage is concerned.
Of the 82 projects, five have been completed as of April 15 and only two projects have not yet started.
These completed projects are the P991,261 improvement of a multi-purpose gymnasium in Padre Burgos town, P1.95-million road concreting from Esperanza to Barangay Pinut-an in San Ricardo town, P2.89-million construction of dike in the town center of Liloan, and P1.95-million construction of dike in coastal areas of San Francisco town.
“For the first quarter, we’re able to award 81 of the 82 projects. This was done before the effectivity of the March 25 to May 8, 2016 public works in connection with the May 9 elections,” Junia said, adding that awarding was not pushed through for one project due to changes in design.
Of the 77 ongoing projects, 46 are bridges, which are up for major rehabilitation this year.
These are bridges of Liloan, Magaupas, Magkasag, Mayuga, Nahaong, Agogong, Biliran, Bonbon, Caaga, Calayugan, Calian, Candatag, Canlawis, Canlupao, Cantamuac, Canumay, Casao, Concepcion, Dinahugan, Higusoan, Hilogtogan, Hipgasan, and Iniguihan.
Also up for rehabilitation are bridges of Lagiwliw, Looc, Mag-ata, Mahalo, Mapait, Maslog 1, Maslog 2, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan 1, Pintuyan 2, Sagbok, San Joaquin, San Jose, San Ricardo, San Roque, San Vicente, Sangaahon, Son-ok, Sta Cruz 1, Sta. Cruz 2, Subang Daku, Sudmon, Timba, and Villa Jacinta.
Under the 2016 infrastructure projects based on National Expenditure Program, the district office is tasked to implement P1 billion worth of projects.
These include rehabilitation, upgrading and construction of national highways, improvements and widening of national roads, construction of missing gaps, off-carriageway improvement, and million for construction and maintenance of bridges along national highways.
Also listed are construction and maintenance of flood mitigation structures and drainage systems, improvement of access road leading to tourist destinations, and million construction and repair of various infrastructure including local projects.
The DPWH field office rushed the bidding of these projects to ensure early start and completion.
This also allowed the government to award the project to contractor prior to the March 25 to May 8 public works ban.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, the construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works, and issuance of treasury warrant or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds is prohibited.
Prior to this, SLDEO submitted the list of ongoing projects for exemption of the public works ban, which took effect on March 25. (PNA)