The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is almost done with the upgrading and preservation works along the Sipocot-Baao Section of Maharlika Highway in Camarines Sur, Region 5 with 89 percent of the pavement rehabilitation and repair works completed since its commencement in November 2015.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar, Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations and Technical Services Emil K. Sadain said that the Long Term Performance Based Maintenance Contract undertaken for the 109-kilometer road section covers repair works of pavement, drainage improvement, bridge structure maintenance works, and asphalt overlay, with a total cost of P2.272 billion.
The UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1 (UPMO - RMC 1), which implements and monitors completion of projects financed through bilateral agreements, implemented the upgrading, improvement and asset preservation of the road works funded by the Government of the Philippines (GOP) and Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
“The DPWH continuously conducts road improvement and maintenance works in Region 5 not only to allow faster transportation within Bicol Region but more importantly to keep national roads and bridges safe for motorists and commuters going to Visayas and Mindanao via Maharlika Highway,” added Undersecretary Sadain.
Bridge repair, drainage and slope protection works were also recently completed along the 5.31-kilometer Viga-Bagamanoc Section and 16.16-kilometer Bacak-Minaile Section of the Catanduanes Circumferential Road, costing P287.9 million and P583.56 million each.
Other major projects in Bicol Region accomplished in the previous years by DPWH UPMO-RMC 1 along Daang Maharlika are the reblocking and drainage improvement of the 7.98-kilometer Oas-Paulug Section of Daang Maharlika in Ligao City, Albay, costing P72.88 million; the 13.8 kilometer Vinzons-Talisay-Daet Section with a total cost of P129.9 million; and the 11.69-kilometer Basud Section with a total cost of P98.78 million.