GMA orders completion of SONA projects by March

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – President Arroyo has ordered officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and project implementers to complete all multi-billion-peso State of the Nation Address (SoNA) projects nationwide by end of March.

The Chief Executive gave the directive after learning from DPWH officials most SONA projects, especially those in Northern and Central Luzon, have been heavily devastated by typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” over two months ago.

Public Works Secretary Victor A. Domingo said the new deadline imposed by the President on the agency and project implementers is attainable, especially when no disturbance will hit the country by the first quarter of 2010.

One major concern which was raised by the President was immediate completion of the Bued River Bridge in Sison, Pangasinan which was heavily damaged by Typhoon “Pepeng,” thus, the DPWH will be forced to implement the project through negotiated bidding.

This was to ensure smooth travel from Metro Manila to the Ilocos and Cordillera regions.
In the Cordillera, Domingo said project implementers will complete the President’s SoNA projects by the end of March this year since significant accomplishments have been achieved the past two months where there was no heavy downpour that could have stalled completion of the projects.

While there is smooth implementation of the projects along the Mount Data to Bontoc of the Halsema Highway and the Bontoc to Banaue of the same highway, Domingo said project implementors have difficulty in hastening projects along the Bontoc-Lubuagan section of the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao road because of alleged unreasonable road-right-of-way controversies on payments for owners whose lots would be affected by the projects.

Domingo said people should realize it is a rare chance for them to develop roads in their areas the soonest considering larger areas with bigger voting population which must first be developed.

He said claims by reported war-like tribesmen who want to take advantage of the situation hampered projects.

But Domingo added concerned officials will still exercise diplomatic means to convince property owners to give a portion of their private lands for the benefit of many who would benefit with improved roads.