TABUK CITY, Kalinga – More than P1.82 billion worth of infrastructure projects will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Lower Kalinga District Engineering Office (DPWH-LKDEO) within the agency’s areas of jurisdiction this year to sustain the government’s efforts in improving the road networks leading to the countryside that will contribute in spurring growth and development in the far flung communities.
DPWH-LKDEO officer-in-charge Engr. Ruby Uyam stated that based on the approved national expenditure program, there will be some 66 projects that will be implemented by the agency within its areas of jurisdiction covering the various aspects of infrastructure development to improve the current state of infrastructure in the countryside.
Uyam claimed that of the 66 projects, 73 percent were already bidded out, 40 percent of the same had already been awarded to the complying and responsive bidders and that the remaining 33 percent of the project are awaiting the decision of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) as the contractors are currently being subject to the post-qualification procedure.
Further, she added that the remaining 27 percent of the 66 projects had already been advertised and scheduled for the opening of bids anytime.
The DPWH-LKDEO official disclosed that the funds had been provided by the government for the implementation of various project categories Asset Preservation Program for National
Roads, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction and Upgrading of Damaged Paved Roads, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of national, national Network Development Program of National Roads and bridges, Flood Control Program, Convergence and Special Support Program for Tourism Road Infrastructure Program and Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industries and Industry and Trades Infrastructure Program, Construction of various Infrastructure in Support of National Security, Construction and Rehabilitation of Water Supply or Septage and Rain Water Collector and special funds from the motor vehicle users charge, Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps, Construction of Access roads from National roads to Indigenous peoples Communities and other Basic Infrastructure program.
Last year, Uyam stipulated that the DPWH-LKDEO was provided some P1.397 billion for the implementation of some 105 infrastructure projects which are equitable distributed in the areas of jurisdiction of the DPWH-LKDEO.
She pointed out that of the 105 projects of the agency last year, 73 projects were completed, 19 projects are still undergoing implementation while 13 projects are still on hold and awaiting the release of the funds for the same.
Uyam explained that the 13 unimplemented projects have a total project cost of some P99 million which were placed under the for later release category.
Initially, the public works official stipulated that the DPWH-LKDEO was able to receive some P15 million of the unreleased funds, thus, leaving the balance of the same to only P84 million where P80 million had been programmed for the continuation of the implementation of the multi-billion Chico river mega-dike project.
