THE DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered the faster completion of two big ticket projects under the government’s Build, Build, Build, program in Central Luzon.

In a statement on Friday, DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations and Technical Services Emil K. Sadain said the construction of the Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III (Plaridel Bypass Road) in Bulacan and the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Low Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay should accelerated since these are intended to solve problems being faced in the two locations.

“These DPWH road and flood control projects financed by ODA (Official Development Assistance) will be beneficial in improving existing traffic conditions especially in congested areas of Daang Maharlika in the Province of Bulacan and mitigate flooding in low-lying areas of Pampanga,” it said.

The road project in Bulacan is a 24.61-kilometer road forms the two contracts funded by a loan agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It has already reached 74% completion for the first package of the contract, while the two remaining packages are set for bidding in January 2020.

This runs from North Luzon Expressway in Balagtas, Bulacan to Daang Maharlika in San Rafael, Bulacan.

The flood control project is funded by the Export-Import Bank of Korea for $80.48 million, which is already 20% completed. It is just one of the other disaster resiliency infrastructure projects funded by the country, which include Flood Early Warning System in Greater Metro Manila, as well as an earth-filled dam, irrigation facilities, multi-purpose access roads, and reforestation of watershed area along the Pasa River in Isabela Province.

The UPMO is currently managing 26 projects under the infrastructure program of the government. These are intended to increase “productive capacity of the economy, generate more jobs, and strengthen the investment climate leading to sustained inclusive growth of the Philippines.” — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

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