DPWH completes P138 million Baguio projects

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – At least P138 million worth of infrastructure projects have been completed by the Baguio City District Engineering office of the Department of Public Works and Highways in this mountain resort city.

Out of the said amount, P60 million came from the regular infrastructure fund of the agency, P40 million was sourced from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of three-term Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan and P38 million were funded from various local infrastructure projects.

Engineer Ireneo Gallato, Baguio City6 district engineer, cited most of the funding for the identified road, bridge and structural projects were released prior to the ban on implementation of government projects, thus, most of the projects were already completed.

While Baguio City is a highly urbanized city, Gallato said there are still numerous projects that need to be undertaken by concerned government agencies in order to help improve the living condition of people.

According to him, the resourcefulness of local officials coupled with the perseverance of the DPWH in sourcing out the funding for the different projects proved to be instrumental in facilitating the influx of funds for the completion of the different horizontal and vertical projects all over the city.

Gallato said completed projects do not include the P60 million uncompleted circumferential road project since its funding has yet to be released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the multi-million calamity funded projects.

Because of the good weather condition prevailing in the city due to the effects of the El Nino phenomenon, the district engineer explained all the projects that were bidded out are now being implemented and completed in time for the rainy season.

In this year’s P1.5 trillion national budget, there are several infrastructure projects that have been initially funded but the same will be implemented after the election ban expires when the new administration takes over by July 1.

Gallato cited all public works projects have already been rushed for the convenience of the people so that the improved roads will be utilized by the people in time for the opening of classes by the second week of June.

Previously, the DPWH-BCDEO has completed over P180 million worth of infrastructure projects all over the city to help in the rehabilitation and upgrading of roads, bridges and schoolbuildings for the benefit of tourists and local residents.