DPWH allots P1.2 trillion for PH roads

By: Jerry E. Esplanada - 11 years ago

Workers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—In the last two years of the administration, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will “prioritize rehabilitation over preventive maintenance” in the preservation of the country’s road network, which is valued at P1.2 trillion.

In a report, the DPWH also said it would continue “improving the smoothness of national highways through improved construction processes, tighter supervision and quality assurance during the roads’ construction stage.”

Other agency priorities in 2015 and 2016 include the following: Pavement of the remaining gravel and rough roads nationwide; replacing all timber and bailey bridges with concrete or steel bridges; implementation of better drainage along primary roads to ensure a longer life span of the road pavements; and improved flood control and other climate-change adaptation measures.

“The DPWH funding for the construction and maintenance of national roads and bridges is being increased substantially to ensure continued growth nationwide,” the report said.

This year, the agency has set aside P129.4 billion for the rehabilitation of the remaining 15,872 kilometers of gravel and unpaved arterial roads all over the country.

The allocation is 67.7 percent of the department’s total 2014 infrastructure program fund of P191.2 billion. The amount is P18.5 billion more than last year’s budget of P110.9 billion.

The report noted “the national road network is the most important infrastructure asset of the government. It provides the connectivity to all Filipinos for their economic and social activities.”

“As such, President Aquino has directed the DPWH to ensure that the quality and safety of our national road network is upgraded and maintained properly.”

To achieve its national road network-related goals, the department is adopting the following strategic measures: Good governance reforms; anti-corruption initiatives; better quality and safer national roads programs; public-private partnerships; and effective flood control programs.