DPWH completes PhP1.81-B post-‘Yolanda’ rehab projects

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 29 (PNA) – Two years after super typhoon “Yolanda” battered Eastern Visayas provinces, about PhP1.81 billion worth of infrastructure projects have been completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the post-disaster rehabilitation and recovery.

The region got PhP2.46 billion for rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by the typhoon's fierce winds, flood waters and storm surges in November 2013, with a total of 137 projects, according to DPWH Regional Director Rolando M. Asis.

As of end-October, 106 projects had already been completed by the national government with a consolidated projects cost of PhP1.81 billion. There are still 26 ongoing projects and five that have not yet started.

“Projects in badly-hit areas like in Tacloban, Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa and some part of Samar are now complete. We are almost done with all our recovery projects related to post-Yolanda recovery in other areas,” Asis said.

These projects have been implemented in the provinces of Leyte, Biliran, Eastern Samar and some parts of Northern Samar and Southern Leyte.

Tagged as priority for rehabilitation are road slips, slope protection, DPWH office buildings, critical road sections, bridges, flood control, and road resurfacing.

The DPWH is also tasked to reconstruct 22 damaged local government buildings with a budget of PhP794 million. As of end of last month, four projects have been completed, 11 are ongoing, and seven have not yet started. (PNA)
SCS/SARWELL Q. MENIANO