BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera has sustained its performance in public construction projects with the implementation of interventions for good road networks inside and outside the region, an official of the Regional Development Council (RDC) said here recently.
Ifugao Gov. Jerry Dalipog, chairman of the RDC-CAR infrastructure committee, said that in 2023, the Cordillera office of the Department of Public works and Highways (DPWH-CAR) completed 1,666 public projects, spurring construction activities across the region.
He added that with a public infrastructure expenditure of PhP97.7 billion, the said efforts employed over 78,000 workers.
Further, the region also saw an increase of 70.83 kilometers in paved national roads, bringing the total to 98 percent concreted national roads. Each of the provinces boasts of 95 percent of their national roads paved, showcasing the region’s commitment to physical integration.
The Ifugao governor said that 21.10 kilometers of converted local roads were added to the existing national road network, further enhancing connectivity.
According to him, the infrastructure sector also complimented the economic sector where in 2023, the region saw the implementation of some 126 tourism road projects, enhancing access to various tourism sites.
Moreover, 193 projects under the Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL-It) and logistic efficiency and transport seamlessness to enhance agri-business trade (LETs EAT) program were also completed, aimed at strengthening food security and logistics efficiency in the region.
Last year, key initiatives were made to support the agriculture sector with the completion of 230 irrigation projects aimed at increasing agricultural productivity by expanding irrigation services adding 4,184.87 hectares to the irrigated service areas in the region, raising the overall irrigated area to 61 percent.
The said initiative included the rehabilitation and expansion of four existing national irrigation systems which added 2,462.21 hectares of serviced land. Community irrigation systems contributed 1,722.46 hectares of new service areas.
In 2023, 22 projects were completed under the farm to market road development program, totaling 20.65 kilometers of roads.
On the other hand, he reported that all 77 municipalities and cities and 1,178 barangays across the region now have electricity. In line with the President’s directive for total electrification, electric cooperatives actively implemented the government’s Sitio Electrification Program last year, bringing cheap power to 1,051 households in 80 sitios.
However, Dalipog admitted that there remains significant work to be done to ensure that all sitios in the region are fully energized.
Despite the challenges posed by the region’s mountainous terrain and the lack of a regional fiber optic cable backbones, internet coverage in the region increased by 13 percent benefitting a tadeonal 185 barangays within internet services.
“We recognize the need to further improve on digital connectivity. To support our socio economic development efforts, we are committed to strengthen the region’s information and communication technology backbone through the establishment of a wireless mesh network that will spur business growth and attract investments to our region,” Dalipog stressed.
He stipulated that untimely, the sustainability of the region’s infrastructure hinges on the stewardship of natural resources and preparedness for the impacts of climate change and disasters. By Dexter A. See
