Department of Public Works and Highways – Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR) was allotted more than ₱13.9 billion worth of infrastructure projects for implementation in 2017.
Of the total amount, ₱9.7 billion was programmed for national road network services; ₱1.2 billion will be used for flood management services; ₱1.1 billion was earmarked for the maintenance and construction services of other infrastructure projects; ₱166.3 million will be utilized for various infrastructure projects including local projects; ₱282.5 million was allocated for local infrastructure program; ₱549.72 million will be utilized for design and build and ₱100 million will be used for preliminary detailed engineering of various projects.
Regional Director Nerie D. Bueno said ₱5.4 billion worth of major infrastructure will be implemented by the regional office while the twelve (12) District Offices will be implementing over ₱7.65 billion worth of various infrastructure projects.
Benguet received the highest funding allocation with a total of ₱1.32 billion followed by Kalinga and Ifugao with a little over ₱3 billion, Mountain Province was allotted ₱ 1.1 billion, Abra with ₱1.09 billion and Baguio City with ₱617 million worth of projects.
Based on the data obtained from Engr. Angelita Mabitazan, Chief of Planning Division, the funding allocation was distributed to 387 projects wherein the regional office will be implementing a total of 39 projects while the district offices will be implementing 349 projects.
Director Bueno added that this year’s ₱13.9 billion funding for the programmed infrastructure projects is a far cry from the ₱3 billion annual allocation received by the region for infrastructure projects in 2011.
Aside from the road and bridge projects being implemented by the agency, DPWH is also working on the implementation of tourism road projects, school building projects, farm to market road projects, and health facilities apart from government buildings.