Implementation of two (2) high-impact infrastructure projects in Central Luzon under the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program are being hastened by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
In his recent occular inspection, DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations and Technical Services Emil K. Sadain has instructed the project managers and engineers assigned at Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III (Plaridel Bypass Road) in Bulacan and Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Low Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay to ensure that contractors not only speed-up construction activities but also strictly adhere to prescribed specifications and standards that will make the two (2) Official Development Assistance (O.D.A.) projects last their supposed economic life.
Following the call of DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar to hasten implementation of all projects nationwide, the ongoing 24.61-kilometers Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III in Bulacan funded by loan agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has already reached 74% completion of its contract package 1 while two (2) remaining contract packages are set for bidding in January 2020.
On the other hand, the ongoing Korea Export–Import Bank -assisted Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Low Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay has attained 20% accomplishment.
Undersecretary Sadain said that when completed, these DPWH road and flood control projects financed by O.D.A. will be beneficial in improving existing traffic conditions especially in congested areas of Daang Maharlika in the Province of Bulacan and mitigate flooding in low-lying areas of Pampanga.
DPWH thru UPMO is currently managing 26 big ticket ODA projects nationwide which are vital to increasing productive capacity of the economy, generate more jobs, and strengthen the investment climate leading to sustained inclusive growth of the Philippines.
Undersecretary Sadain was joined in his inspection and meeting in Central Luzon projects by Project Managers Ben Bautista, Francisco Sawali, Bambi Elumba, Roger Ang, Lita Manalo, Edison Olalia and Jose Gabriel.