SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Ilocos Region has made remarkable progress in infrastructure development in 2024, benefiting from a total allocation of P71.85 billion under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Build Better More (BBM) program.
This initiative, aimed at bolstering economic growth, enhancing connectivity, and building resilience, has played a pivotal role in the region’s development.
Esperanza Tinaza, regional information officer of DPWH Ilocos, emphasized the program’s impact on improving the lives of local residents through its comprehensive infrastructure projects.
“These accomplishments demonstrate Region 1’s commitment to the Build Better More program’s goal of creating sustainable infrastructure that will enhance livelihoods, support economic activities, and provide greater protection against natural disasters,” Tinaza said.
As part of the national vision to accelerate development across the country, DPWH Ilocos has overseen a total of 1,729 infrastructure projects in 2024.
Of these, 1,278 have been completed, 434 are still ongoing, 16 have yet to begin, and only one project was canceled.
Key Infrastructure Accomplishments in 2024
• Roads and Bridges: 69 bridges, 161 road projects, nine under the DPWH-Department of Trade and Industry convergence program, three under the DPWH-Department of National Defense convergence program
• Flood Control and Resilience: 211 flood control projects
• Tourism and Connectivity: 34 road projects to tourism destinations, one road leading to seaports
• Additional Developments: 790 other projects
Clarissa Turin, a resident of Rosario, La Union, recognized the help provided by the completed bypass road in their municipality.
“It takes so much time if you have to take the usual route to our area, but with the help of the completed bypass road, it minimizes our time for travel,” she said.
The Build Better More program is not just about improving roads and bridges but also about ensuring long-term resilience and enhancing access to economic hubs, seaports, and tourism destinations.
These projects are designed to make communities more self-sustaining, resilient to climate change, and better connected to key economic areas.
Looking ahead, DPWH Ilocos remains committed to its mission of continuously enhancing the region’s infrastructure landscape.
By focusing on sustainable development, the department aims to improve the quality of life for all Filipinos and support long-term economic growth aligned with the Build Better More program’s overarching goals.
With a solid track record of successful project implementation in 2024, DPWH Ilocos is poised to continue driving progress, improving livelihoods, and fortifying the region’s infrastructure network in line with the Build Better More vision for a stronger, more resilient nation. (PIA Region 1)
