DPWH bares infra development in Leyte Island

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte, April 19 (PNA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported the national government has poured in a total of Php 28.7 billion in funds for the infrastructure program in Leyte Island from 2011 to 2016.

DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson made this report on Monday during a visit in Baybay City together with President Benigno S. Aquino III, and cited, among others, infrastructure programs made by the department particularly in improving road conditions in the five districts of Leyte and the engineering districts of Tacloban City and Southern Leyte.

For public highways, a total of Php 22.5 billion have been delivered by the national government, Php 5 billion for flood control and another Php 1.1 billion for other infrastructure projects.

In the whole island, a total of 1,250 kilometers of roads have already been paved by the DPWH since the Aquino administration started in 2010.

Singson said Southern Leyte province posted 100 percent rating in paved highways while Leyte’s third district remained to have the bigger percentage for unpaved roads at 88 percent.

The DPWH is targeting to pave more roads and improve more infrastructures in the island before Aquino administration ends.

He likewise disclosed that the multi-million tide embankment project to protect the seashores from Tacloban City to Tanauan town will start this year.

This 27.3-kilometer project stretches from Diit village in Tacloban to Cabuynan village in Tanauan town. Sections 1 to 3 are in Tacloban, section 4 are coastal villages of Tacloban and Palo, section 5 are some areas in Palo and Tanauan, and section 6 in Tanauan town.

However, according to Singson, the tide embankment project will first be started in the Palo area as resettlement of bayside settlers have already been resolved.

The four-meter high structure, designed to shield coastal communities from big waves, was pushed through by the President after the 2013 storm surges wiped out neigborhood in Leyte province.

The Php 7.9 billion “Great Wall” project include civil works and right of way acquisition broken down in four years – Php1.46 billion for 2016, Php 1.19 billion for 2017, Php 2.64 billion for 2018, and Php 2.64 for 2019.

RMA/SQM/Ahlette C. Reyes/egr