THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Biliran province will be implementing a total of P1.8 billion worth of infrastructure projects based on the released funding under the calendar year (CY) 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Biliran District Engineering Office chief Alfredo Bollido said the 112 infrastructure projects comprise road widening along Biliran circumferential road, slope protections, construction of diversion roads, replacement and repair/ rehabilitation of bridges, flood controls, multipurpose buildings and construction/improvement of roads in convergence with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).
“We are speeding-up the process in the procurement so that projects can be implemented already during the 1st and 2nd quarter of the year wherein the weather is most suitable for construction activities,” added Engr. Supremo Victor Sabitsana, district office procurement head.
In a statement, DPWH said the district office started its early procurement activities last October 2022 so that these projects can be implemented immediately once the CY 2023 budget is approved and released.
Meanwhile, Engr. Rosario Rosete, OIC- assistant district engineer and chief of planning and design section, disclosed that the district office “will also implement for the first time the construction of solar powered water system in the housing projects ‘Pabahay’ in the towns of Kawayan, Almeria, and Naval with a total allocation amount of P30 million.”
She added that different infrastructure projects will also be implemented in different barangays in the Biliran province, such as road concreting, multipurpose buildings, and flood controls in convergence with Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (Sipag) and Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP), prioritized for funding by Biliran Congressman Gerardo Espina Jr.
Following its local infrastructure program, DPWH-Biliran will also implement the completion of its Standard Office Building in Barangay Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran, with an additional P20 million budget for 2023, according to the department. (SunStar Philippines)