DPWH Eastern Visayas seeks poll ban exemption of 35 infra projects

PALO, Leyte, March 8 (PNA) –- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is seeking for exemption of 35 ongoing infrastructure projects from public works ban in connection with the May 9, 2016 polls.

These projects include 13 projects with notice to proceed, nine projects with awarded contract, and nine projects scheduled for bidding.

“The exemption from election ban is needed in view of the urgency of project implementation program of DPWH,” said DPWH Regional Director Rolando Asis.

Projects with notice to proceed that need exemption are PHP67.25-million widening of national road from Naga-Naga village to Caibaan village in Tacloban City; PHP23.59 million improvement of national highway also in Tacloban; PHP67.85 million upgrading of major road network in Sogod, 

Southern Leyte; PHP92.87 million concreting of road linking Eastern Samar and Northern Samar; PHP48.73 million paving of national road in Villaba, Leyte.

PHP137.42 million road reblocking in Baybay City; PHP70.08 million slope protection project in Tacloban; PHP58.48 million construction of Lagbangan Lake circumferential road in San Antonio, 

Northern Samar; PHP199.76 million reconstruction of public market in Palo, Leyte; PHP1.52 million repair of DPWH regional office facilities; PHP2.54 million rehabilitation of the public buildings; and PHP3.39 million construction of Day Care center within the DPWH compound.

Awarded contract projects included in the exemption list are the PHP59.40 million construction of road connecting Eastern Samar and Northern Samar areas; PHP185.07 million for improvement of the same road section in Northern Samar; PHP163.16 million road opening and concreting of Tacloban City bypass road; and PHP37.58 million widening of Hiagsam Bridge in Jaro, Leyte.

Projects due for award are the PHP1.09 million construction of intersection of Ormoc City Diversion Road; PHP230.95 million construction of road network, drainage and lighting system with the new campus of University of the Philippines Tacloban campus in northern area; PHP84.74 million construction of road to rural communities in various parts of Leyte province;

PHP148.29 million rehabilitation of bridges in Ormoc City and Albuera, Leyte; PHP144.19 million for another batch of repair of bridges in Ormoc City and Albuera town; PHP40.49 million improvement of national road in the northern part of Tacloban; PHP131.32 million widening of road in the northern part of Tacloban; PHP139.86 million construction of access roads to tourist destinations in Calbiga, Samar; and PHP24.51 million construction of Environmental Management Bureau office and laboratory in Tacloban.

Projects scheduled for bidding are road widening in northern Tacloban; road widening in Catarman, Northern Samar; construction of a circumferential road in Capul, Northern Samar; repair of Bagacay Bridge in Tacloban; widening of road from Tacloban to Ormoc; construction of road leading to Llorente Closed Canopy Forest Area in Maydolong, Eastern Samar; construction of flood control structure in Dulag, Leyte; and concreting of road in Silago, Southern Leyte.

Projects that have already started prior to the effectivity of election ban on March 25, 2016 do not need request for exemption, according to Asis.

The DPWH field office rushed the bidding of these projects to ensure early start and completion.

“This also allowed the government to award the project to contractor prior to the March 25 to May 8, 2016 public works ban,” Asis said.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, among the prohibited acts is the construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works, and issuance of treasury warrant or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds. (PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

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