DPWH Leyte office prioritizes infra development in 2016

CARIGARA, Leyte, Jan. 15 (PNA) - Infrastructure development is still a top priority of the Department of Public Works and Highways 2nd Leyte Engineering District (DPWH-2nd LED) with its Php1.2 billion budget allocation for 2016.

District Engineer Carlos Veloso said the funds will be used for the construction of bridges, maintenance and rehabilitation of major highways and completion of primary projects in Leyte’s second district.

Under the budget, the DPWH-2nd LED will undertake a total of 59 projects amounting to Php450 million. The rest of the projects with a total allocation of Php700 million is through the DPWH regional office.

The priority projects for 2016 include the repair and rehabilitation of 18 bridges.

Most of bridge within the area are either old or have been damaged by heavy rains and water flow during the past typhoons.

Also appropriated are widening and road reblocking along the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road.

Veloso said that this vital highway that cuts across Leyte province have been steadily widened in order to accommodate increasing traffic flow.

He also said that his office is targeting to finish the Hiagsam Bridge in Jaro, Leyte by May 2016.

The bridge will be a breakthrough with four lanes to accommodate more traffic and built safer and more resistant to flashfloods.

The Hiagsam Bridge was destroyed during the onslaught of typhoon Senyang in 2014.

Meanwhile, the Burauen-Albuera road is also set to be completed this 2016 by the DPWH-2nd LED that would allow transportation along this route from Tacloban to Albuera.

He said they have more than achieved their completion target of 85% by attaining 95% accomplishment rate in 2015.

Veloso is optimistic they can attain the same accomplishment rate this 2016.

As the government’s lead construction agency, the DPWH’s budget allocation is the second biggest among government departments.

In 2016, the DPWH plans to complete the paving of all national arterial and secondary roads, as well as the continuing development of the national road network, including tertiary road and the preservation of road assets. (PNA)
ZST/SQM/AHLETTE C. REYES