A total of 993 projects completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in 2021 are now benefitting the people of Cagayan Valley Region amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citing a report from DPWH Regional Office 2 Director Loreta M. Malaluan, DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado said that the newly-completed roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects are now safely linking more farmers to market centers, workers to jobs, and the sick to healthcare facilities, protecting vulnerable communities, fostering trade and investment as well as socioeconomic development.
Despite the pandemic, DPWH was able to complete in Region 2 the construction, improvement, and rehabilitation of a total of 103.9 kilometers of national roads costing a P2.51 Billion and 2.06 kilometers of national bridges costing P616.8 Million.
To further assist low-lying and flood-prone communities, DPWH also completed last year a total of 58 flood-control projects costing P1.002 Billion. Projects include construction and repair of dikes, seawalls, river control, revetment, river walls, and drainage mains.
In coordination with the Department of Tourism, 24.34 kilometers of roads leading to tourism destinations were improved in 2021 while a total of 43.76 kilometers of road were also constructed and improved in convergence with the Department of Trade and Industry’s Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) Project.
In the same year, four (4) projects costing P24.37 Million were implemented under Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) Program with the Department of National Defense which aims to reinforce operations and boost the morale of troops.
According to Senior Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut, overall in-charge of Regional Operations, DPWH Region 2 is committed to complete early this year the remaining ongoing projects of 2021 and will also swiftly implement vital projects funded under 2022 General Appropriations Act.
Among the highlights of DPWH Region 2 in 2021 are: completion of four (4) major COVID-19 facilities in Tuguegarao City, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino Provinces; 161.4-meter Disiluad Bridge along Cordon-Aurora Boundary Road in Aglipay, Quirino; 1.65-kilometer Cabagan Bypass Road in Cabagan, Isabela; and 4.76-kilometer, 2-lane Naguilian-Palanan Road in Isabela.
The Department also launched the construction of the 1.58-kilometer Camalanuigan Bridge connecting Camalanuigan and Aparri; and construction of Claveria Bay View Boulevard in Claveria, Cagayan.