MIMAROPA

DPWH allots P1.38-B for infra projects in Palawan

By Victoria Asuncion S. Mendoza

Tuesday 5th of June 2012

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, June 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways will implement P1.38 billion worth of infrastructure projects this year to further stimulate countryside development and bolster the booming tourism industry in Palawan.

In the DPWH website, there are 53 roads and 15 bridges listed for implementation starting 2012 by the three District Engineering Offices (DEO) in the province and the DPWH Region 4B, which consists of construction, strengthening of bridges and the upgrade, reconstruction and improvement of national roads.

Engr. Art Turillo, Public Information Officer of DPWH-Third DEO said that the projects are part of the department’s regular infrastructure program in support of President Benigno S. Aquino, III’s goal to make national roads 100 percent paved by 2016.

Turillo said that the increase in public infrastructure activity is also expected to sustain economic growth especially in tourist destination areas like Puerto Princesa City, Coron and El Nido.

DPWH Region 4B will be implementing about P892 million worth of road projects, spanning the length of Puerto Princesa South Road, Palawan Circumferential Road and Coron-Busuanga Road. DPWH regional offices only implement projects valued at P50 million and above. Below this amount, the DEOs are given authority to implement.

The first DEO, which covers all of northern Palawan has earmarked about P116 million budget for six on-going projects which include four bridges along the Coron-Busuanga road and the improvement of the San Vicente Long Beach Road and the Langogan-Roxas-Taytay road.

The second DEO has allocated about P256 million for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Puerto Princesa South Road and construction of five permanent bridges along the Palawan Circumferential Road. For the first quarter of this year, four road projects which were carried over from 2011 were completed.

The third DEO covers all of Puerto Princesa City with on-going projects valued at P117.8 million. Presently, it is working on six bridges and the concreting projects of portions of Irawan-Tagburos Road.

Turillo said that all DPWH projects under the present administration is geared towards “right project, right cost, right quality,” and when completed will provide safer, faster and comfortable travel to motorists, commuters and tourists. (LBR/VSM-PIA4B Palawan)