Government rolls out P125B in public works projects

After being roundly criticized for not spending enough to spur the economy, the government is rolling out P125.5 billion worth of public works projects in 2012.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said his department had started procuring supplies as “early as during the fourth quarter of 2011” to ensure the smooth implementation of the projects.

“The early procurement, short of award, shall facilitate the start of project implementations during the first quarter of 2012,” Singson said in a statement.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) field officials had been directed to fast-track the bidding for projects in their respective areas, Singson said.

He said the way the 2012 budget would be implemented “will be very different” from 2011 and most of the projects will be awarded “early this first quarter of 2012.”

“With the Department of Budget  and Management’s plan to  comprehensively release project funds by January 2012, we have to be ready to implement these projects to avail of the good weather conditions during the first three months of the year,” Singson said.

He said the DPWH was allocated P125.5 billion in the General Appropriations Act or 2012 national budget, an increase of 13.5 percent over its 2011 budget of P110.6 billion.

“We shall be focusing on upgrading the national roads in terms of quality and safety,” Singson said.