The City Engineering Office (CEO) disclosed that the implementation of the P20 million Session Road sidewalk improvement project remains suspended to pave the way for the local government to revise the plans based on the results of the consultation that was conducted and complete the requirements of the public works department.
City Engineer Edgar Victorio Olpindo stated that the design, plans and specifications of the said project are now being finalized based on the inputs of concerned sectors that were elicited during a recent consultation that was called for the said purpose.
He added that the finalized design and plans of the project will be again presented to the public through another consultation to get their insights on what will be the best way to implement the project that will benefit the public.
The city engineer claimed that the CEO is also waiting for the decision of the council on their earlier request for an authorization for the implementation of the project along the national road to comply with the requirements that were imposed by the public works department prior to the issuance of the needed clearance allowing the Session “road sidewalk improvement project to push through in the future.
Under existing laws, rules and regulations, all national roads are within the jurisdiction of the public works department and whatever improvements that will be implemented by local governments having jurisdiction of the same will have to be authorized by the said agency.
Last March 22, 2022, the local government awarded the implementation of the Session Road improvement project to a winning contractor for the same to be realized.
However, the issuance of the notice to proceed for the contractor was eventually suspended on April 6, 2022 to await the results of the consultations that will be scheduled for the purpose of eliciting suggestions and recommendations on the designs and plans of the project.
Olpindo clarified that the project is supposed to be implemented by the contractor along the stretch of Session road, particularly on the right side going up, while funds are being sourced out for the implementation of a similar one along the left side of the city’s main road.