THE DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways-Region 11 (DPWH-Davao) is anticipating a P50-billion budget next year, 18% higher than its more than P42-billion allocation in 2017, with several major projects that are ongoing and those that are in the pipeline. “As of Oct. 2017, we have a budget of P42.29 billion with 1,031 projects,” DPWH-Davao Spokesperson Dean I. Ortiz said in an interview. Among the ongoing projects are alternative roads that will serve as long-term solutions to the worsening traffic congestion going into and within Davao City. One road, an alternative for those coming from Digos City to Davao City, is being prepared for a dry-run. Engineer Jose Froilan T. Rigor, chief of the Davao City Planning and Development Office’s Plans and Programs Division, earlier said the alternative road, also being referred to as the “mini Diversion Road,” will lessen traffic along the Ulas intersection. He said the dry-run will allow concerned agencies to make adjustments once they see how the traffic flows. Meanwhile, some of the major projects lined up are the P46-billion Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Davao City Bypass, and the P19-billion Davao City coastal road project spearheaded by DPWH. — Carmencita A. Carillo

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