DPWH to paint steel bridges orange

Department of Public Works and Highways

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Public Works and Highways has adopted “international orange,” or safety orange, as the uniform color for all DPWH-constructed steel bridges nationwide.

In DPWH Order No. 74, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said “the adoption of a uniform color will enable the general public to distinguish bridges constructed by the department from those implemented by local government units.”

The use of medium tone international orange “will increase bridge visibility, as well as protect bridges from the danger of rust from moisture,” Singson said.

The color orange is commonly used in engineering, particularly in warning signs for road construction projects, he said.

Meanwhile, the DPWH announced the inauguration last week of the 64.6-kilometer San Julian-Balangkayan road project in Eastern Samar.

The P2.45 billion project, part of the Secondary National Roads Development Project, was funded by the US government-run Millennium Challenge Corp.

The same project calls for the rehabilitation of the 222-km Wright-Taft-Borongan-Guian road network with the DPWH as the implementing agency.

According to Singson, the rehabilitation of national roads in the Eastern Visayas was “expected to propel economic activity through reduced transportation costs and greater access to the communities in both Eastern and Western Samar, classified as two of the country’s poorest regions.”

DPWH Undersecretary Rafael Yabut represented Singson during the project inauguration rites in Borongan, capital of Eastern Samar. Other officials present during the program were Rep. Ben Evardone, Gov. Conrado Nicart. Jr., DPWH regional director Rolando Asis, and MCC chief executive officer Daniel Yohannes, and MCAPhilippines CEO Ma. Victoria Anoñuevo, among others.