BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan urged the officials of the Department of Public works and Highways – Baguio City District Engineering Office (DPWH-BCDEO) to fastrack the completion of the agency’s on-going infrastructure projects along various national roads in the city to help lessen the inconvenience of the public during the events of 23rd edition of Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival.
The local chief executive met with DPWH-BCDEO officials Tuesday to remind them to make sure that on-going diggings along national roads where the agency’s projects are being implemented will be completed prior to the conduct of the grand streetdancing parade on February 24 and grand float parade on February 25 to allow residents and visitors to freely roam around the city during the festivities.
However, if the contractors of the on-going projects will not be able to complete their diggings, he requested that a few days before the flower festival highlights, the areas should be cleared of debris that pose a serious threat to the safety of the public.
“We need to make sure that the major causes of traffic congestions, like the diggings being done along our national roads, will be minimized during the flower festival major events so that the public will have the chance to enjoy the festive mood,” Domogan stressed.
He added that while local officials understand the need for the agency and the concerned contractors to implement their programmed projects during the dry months to lessen untoward delays in the completion of the infrastructure projects, it is important for project implementers to be mindful of the convenience of the public by making sure that diggings will not affect the smooth flow of traffic and the safety of the people.
According to him, DPWH-BCDEO technical personnel must ensure that the implementation of all on-going infrastructure projects will be monitored so that contractors will strictly adhere to prescribed specifications and standards that will make the projects last their supposed economic life.
He expressed his gratitude to DPWH-BCDEO officials and contractors for their cooperation in the implementation of the funded infrastructure projects along major roads around the city considering that the said projects will be beneficial in improving existing traffic conditions, especially in congested areas.
Domogan also requested the DPWH-BCDEO officials and contractors to make sure that appropriate signage are installed within their project sites to guide the public and to serve as information to motorists on the things to be done upon reaching the areas where projects are being implemented.
Earlier, the DPWH adopted a policy to bid-out funded projects in the last quarter of the previous year and what will be left out will be the award of the projects to the winning bidder once the budget shall have been enacted into law to guarantee the immediate implementation of the infrastructure projects during the early part of the year to avoid delays caused by the onslaught of the rains.
By Dexter A. See
