Bridges eyed priority for MP infra projects

By Pamela F. Dungala

BONTOC, Mountain province -- The Department of Public Works and Highways district engineering office here has programmed nine bridges for this year’s regular infrastructure projects under the General Appropriations Act.

Funds for these bridges amount to P93,510,000 out of the 2012 regular infra projects amounting to P221,182,000.

Programmed bridges set for implementation this year for their partial completion include Agodong and Ampawilen Bridges along Mountain Province-Cagayan via Tabuk-Enrile Road, Masablang Bridge along Mt. Province-Ifugao Road (Kiling-Paracelis Section), Bontoc-Cadre Bridge along Bontoc-Cadre Road, Agog-go Bridges 1 and 2 along Talubin-Barlig-Natonin-Paracelis-Calaccad Road, Losong Bridge along Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur via Kayan Road, Calacabban Bridge along Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur via Tue Road and Lagangeo Bridge 2 along Mt. Province-Cagayan via Tabuk-Enrile Road.

The other bulk set for these infra projects has been programmed to upgrade or rehabilitate road sections along Mt. Data Access Road, Talubin-Barlig-Natonin-Paracelis-Calaccad Road, Mt. Province-Ifugao Road (Paracelis-Kiling Section), Mt. Province-Nueva Vizcaya Road, Baguio-Bontoc Road and two (2) sections along Dantay-Sagada Road.

“This is in support to the department’s goal to change bailey and temporary bridges to permanent bridges”, said OIC assistant district engineer Charles Sokoken. “By 2016, the department aims that all national road networks are paved.”

Meanwhile, eight projects, including three bridge projects, will be awarded this month as the procurement processes have already been conducted on December 16, 2011 while projects bid out on December 27, 2011 are still undergoing post evaluation.

Other bridge projects have undergone soil exploration conducted by highly technical entities to determine the profile of the soil which is necessary for the design of the bridges’ foundation.

“The district is waiting for the detailed design of these bridges before the office could prepare the programs of work then we could proceed to the bidding of these bridges,” said construction chief Benedict F. Matib.

“These projects will be implemented early this year “to take advantage of the good weather and so as not to coincide with the start of classes in June 2012. Further, the department does not want being criticized because of projects being implemented during rainy season which causes much traffic and inconvenience to the riding public,” Sokoken said.

The office will be conducting preconstruction conference before the start of project activities. “This will be an avenue for all the participants of these projects to establish coordination and communication links and the delineation of roles.” Matib said.

Moreover, in his commitment in fast tracking projects guided with the 3-R policy (Right project, Right Quality, Right cost) of DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, OIC district engineer John Marquez urged contractors’ compliance to department orders and circulars in implementation of infrastructure projects.

On the other hand, for CY 2011 Regular Infra Projects, the district has completed four projects with seven ongoing which are expected to be finished this semester.

Activities for these projects are mostly upgrading and rehabilitation of various road sections along the province’s national road network.

Disaster related rehabilitation projects for CY 2011 affected by typhoons Juan, Pedring and Quiel are expected to be finished this semester while the six
ongoing CY 2011 priority development assistance fund projects will be completed this mon