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

No ‘sinkhole’ on Leyte highway - DPWH

CARIGARA, Leyte, Jan. 14 (PNA) – The 2nd Leyte Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-2nd LED) said that no ‘sinkhole’ exists along a collapsed section in Lemon village, Capoocan town, where a road slope protection project is now underway.

DPWH-2nd LED District Engineer Carlos Veloso said works on the slope protection had to start later than targeted as the DPWH had to verify fear that continuous soil erosion may be due to a sinkhole underneath the highway.

However, Veloso said the 2nd LED have sought the assistance of geologists from Manila who verified that no ‘sinkhole’ exists and that water flowing underneath the mountains and crossing the highways have soften the roads which causes constant erosion.

“That is now being rectified by constructing drainage to avoid further erosion,” Veloso said.

The said highway is also being reinforced with a slope protection as it sits beside a deep ravine which has been allocated a Php 9.7 million budget from the calamity fund as it was destroyed during the onslaught of Typhoon Ruby and Senyang in 2014.

On Jan. 10, 2015, a truck buckled on the site after continuous heavy rains that drenched the highways in mud and caused traffic congestion.

However, the 2nd LED immediately dispatched members of its district disaster and quick response team, who made the road passable again to all types of vehicles by noontime of the same day.

This road section in Lemon is part of the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road, which is considered as the busiest road section in Eastern Visayas connecting the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc.

The drainage canal and slope protection project, particularly found in Lemon village in Capoocan town costs around Php19.7 million and is expected to be completed by December this year. (PNA)
FPV/SQM/AHLETTE C. REYES

Vital Leyte road up for completion in 2016

CARIGARA, Leyte, Dec. 13 (PNA) -- The 2nd Leyte Engineering District (2nd LED) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) allocated another budget of PhP50 million in 2015 for the completion of the Burauen-Albuera Road.

According to District Engineer Carlos Veloso, the amount is to complete the bridge that would connect the last village of the Burauen side of the project to the boundary of the Albuera side.

Veloso said the office is confident the project will be completed in 2016, at least the Burauen side of the project covered by the district office.

“We really want to ensure the completion of the project. It is a legacy the district can truly be proud of,” Veloso said.

The Burauen-Albuera project started in 2008. The road traverses through some rebel-infested villages in the borders of northern and western Leyte.

With enhanced accessibility, the new road is seen to improve the peace and order and the economic situation of the people

It will provide an alternate road between northern, central and southwestern part of Leyte. It is expected to shorten travel time between Ormoc City and Tacloban City.

Road works had to backtrack a little last year when two of its vital bridges were damaged during the heavy inundation of typhoon "Senyang." The bridges have to be reconstructed with a design that can withstand heavy flooding.

“It’s really a beautiful project. The contractors have done a good job on the concreting and on providing canals on the side so the road can be protected. Travel time and transportation of goods would really be a lot easier if this project would be fully completed,” Veloso said.

Motorists coming from the regional capital have to pass through eight towns to get to Ormoc City. With the new road, travelers will reach Ormoc from Tacloban by passing through five towns only. (PNA)
SCS/SQM/Ahlette C. Reyes/egr