Aquino releases P730M for projects in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY—A total of P730 million has been released to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for infrastructure projects in Bicol, a top DPWH official in the region said.

Danilo Dequito, DPWH head in Bicol, said P351.9 million would be spent on projects tagged as immediate and on a list called “Accelerated Disbursement of President P-Noy.” At least P378.9 million would be spent on projects that had been destroyed or damaged by typhoons.

Dequito said the amount released for Bicol was part of an initial release of P5.5 billion from a package of infrastructure projects worth P72 billion for the entire country.

The P730 million for Bicol would fund 38 projects in the region’s six provinces.

The biggest slice of the pie would go to Albay which is getting P163 million. Sorsogon follows with P84.7 million, Camarines Sur with P45.7 million, Camarines Norte with P17 million, Catanduanes with P1.5 million and Masbate with P20 million.

A second installment worth P144 million would finance roads, bridges and flood control projects in four provinces—Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur and Masbate.