Key officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) met on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 for a collaboration meeting in an effort to expedite the implementation of their respective infrastructure projects under the “Build, Better, More” agenda of the administration.
Representing DPWH Manuel M. Bonoan during the meeting were DPWH Undersecretary for Planning and Public Private Partnership Services Maria Catalina E. Cabral, Undersecretary for Convergence Program Eric A. Ayapana, and Undersecretary for North Luzon and Mindanao Operations Eugenio R. Pipo Jr., while the DOTr team was led by DOTr Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development Atty. Timothy John R. Batan, Undersecretary for Maritime Elmer Francisco U. Sarmiento, Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Anneli R. Lontoc, and Undersecretary for Railways Jeremy S. Regino.
Other participants of the meeting were DPWH Assistant Secretaries Rey Peter B. Gille, Medmier G. Malig, Joy M. Manginsay, including the DPWH Regional Directors, Bureau and Service Directors, as well as DOTr Project Managers, and other representatives from its attached agencies.
Discussions during the meeting include a DOTr proposal to device a DPWH-DOTr Clash Resolution Agreement for appropriate adjustment on their projects whenever needed between the two (2) agencies.
The DOTr reported some implementation concerns on the agency’s convergence projects including the ongoing and upcoming projects with the DPWH which include the roads leading to ports and airports, other port and airport facilities, active transport infrastructure like bike lanes, and the EDSA Greenways Project among others.
The DPWH on the other hand vowed close coordination with concerned DOTr offices to ensure that the projects undertaken by the agency are complementary with the other public infrastructure facilities.
“We hope to hold more coordination meeting with the DOTr and other agencies as we aim to really beef up our efforts in improving mobility across the country, pursuant to the administration’s vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas”, said Undersecretary Cabral.
To conclude the meeting, both DPWH and DOTr key officials agreed to develop a Joint Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will establish a clear guideline on the intensified cooperation.