P50-M allocated to relocate posts obstructing gov’t projs

By Ferdinand Patinio 

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be coming up soon with a detailed master list of the relocation of electric poles that are within rights-of-way (ROW) nationwide.
    According to Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Anne Sharlyne Lapuz, the DPWH Legal Service and Regional Offices Right-of-Way and Legal Division (ROWALD) will also release guidelines on validation and prioritization of payment of ROW.
    “We are working with PHP50 million budget in 2023,” she said.
    The DPWH official added that ROWALD agreed to take proactive steps and give attention to the relocation of obstructing electric poles, which is a common issue especially in ongoing and newly widened roads across the country.
    “By the end of our meeting, we have agreed to formulate a standard procedure in the actual and physical validation of electric poles located within government’s ROW,” Lapuz said.
    The issue was discussed during the second coordination meeting of DPWH lawyers last month.
    At the same time, she ordered the close coordination of DPWH with the National Electrification Administration on the possible courses of action. -- PNA