Hike in budget sought for repair of bad Philippine roads

LUBAO, Pampanga—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has proposed a 13-percent increase in the agency’s budget from P112 billion to P125 billion in 2012, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said here on Thursday.

The quality of national infrastructure will remain to be the key principle guiding future public works projects, especially in the Cordillera where Singson said he saw “lots of bad roads.”

Singson was here to lead the inauguration of a P1.2-billion Korean-funded road project.

Speaking to reporters, Singson said the DPWH would make substantial investments in the upkeep or development of irrigation facilities, school buildings and health centers, spending as much as 20 percent of the P125-billion projected budget in 2012.

But because of a thorough review program, Singson said the agency had also canceled 19 approved and negotiated contracts for projects under the Post “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” Short-Term Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project.

Worth P934.1 million, the canceled projects are part of the 139 projects (42 contract packages) funded by a Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) loan for the rehabilitation of flood control facilities worth P1.9 billion.

Singson may have to consider a larger budget also for the Cordillera, whose road networks are damaged by landslides due to the terrain and high rainfall there, the Inquirer learned.

The secretary visited Baguio City last week and discussed the infrastructure conditions of Cordillera mountain towns with local leaders.

He reviewed the Cordillera Road Improvement Project, which was designed to connect via a major road trunk line Benguet, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Kalinga, Apayao and Abra.

Halsema Highway, which connects Benguet and Mt. Province, is being extended to the interior Cordillera provinces, while government work crews improve lateral roads that link mountain communities to other north Luzon provinces, according to a report presented to the Cordillera regional development council.

Metro Manila’s daily supply of salad vegetables comes from farms in Benguet and Mt. Province. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon, and Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon