DPWH allocates P2.2-B budget for S. Leyte this year

DPWH-SLDEO District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia reported that the 2018 budget is PHP500 million higher than the 2017 budget worth PHP1.7 billion. (Photo: Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA— A total of 89 infrastructure projects worth PHP2.2 billion will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) this year.

DPWH-SLDEO District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia reported that the 2018 budget is PHP500 million higher than the 2017 budget worth PHP1.7 billion.

“Our 89 projects for this year will cover widening of major roads, building new bridges and a diversion road, as well as construction of slope protection structures within the primary and secondary highways,” she said in a statement.

Among its priority projects is the construction of a concrete bridge that will link the towns of San Ricardo and Liloan.

Once completed, the bridge is expected to unlock the tourism potential of the southernmost villages of the province.

Also included in the allocation is the replacement of aging bridges as well as widening from two lanes to four lanes to complement the massive road widening projects in Southern Leyte over the past years, and the improved accessibility to key ports and other production areas as well as building and upgrading local access roads to various economic zones and tourism destinations.

“We were able to bid out already more than 50 percent of the 89 projects under 2018 outlay. We are waiting for the approval of some proposed modifications for projects under the regular infrastructure program and as soon as funds are released, we will immediately award the projects,” Junia added.

Aside from the road and bridge projects, DPWH-SLDEO will construct 115 academic, secondary and senior high school buildings amounting to PHP1.2 Billion under the Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF) of the Department of Education (DepEd).

These projects are on top of the 299 kilometers of national roads and 155 bridges that are being maintained by them within 18 towns and one city.