MAASIN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways Southern Leyte district engineering office (DPWH-SLDEO) is seeking a P2.2 billion funds to finance infrastructure projects in the province next year.
The proposal is up than the P1.7 billion outlay for 2017 as the central government steps up roads and bridges widening activities and construct new bridges.
“Since most of our road sections have been widened, the next step is to widen the bridges to complement road expansion projects,” said District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia.
The proposed budget will also fund the improvement of roads leading to major ports and other production areas as well as for building and upgrading of access roads to various economic zones and tourist destinations.
Pending the final approval of the 2018 projects, the district office has been conducting pre-detailed engineering activities to ensure that projects will be implemented soon after Congress gives a thumbs up to the proposal.
“We have to be ahead of our preliminary engineering works so that we can bid out our identified projects for next year as soon as the 2018 General Appropriations Act is enacted proved,” Junia said.
Bidding is scheduled in October and notice of award will be issued after the budget approval.
Pre-implementation activities include surveying, preparation of design plan, preparation of technical specifications, and road right of way acquisition plans, among others.
“We have formed survey teams to speed up the surveying works in different categories such as buildings, roads, bridges, and flood control. The newly procured modern equipment helped hasten our job in surveying and coming up with project designs and layouts,” Junia said.
The DPWH-SLDEO is tasked to maintain and upgrade 299 kilometers of national roads and 155 bridges, built in 18 towns and Maasin City, the provincial capital.
As of August 2017, the DPWH field office here posted a 60.12 percent accomplishment, ahead by 11.33 percent than the 48.79 percent target for the month. (PR)