TACLOBAN CITY – Diverse infrastructure projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in 2021 aided the people of Eastern Visayas in recovering from the second year of economic losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado stated that the DPWH Regional Office 8 and its 14 District Engineering Offices completed the construction and maintenance of 113.57 kilometers of national roads for the Region's six (6) provinces.
Additionally, 31 bridge projects totaling P1.57 billion were completed in Region 8 by 2021, as will 75 flood-control projects totaling P3.27 billion. These projects include flood mitigation structures, drainage systems, and structures along major river basins and principal rivers.
Concurrently with national government agencies, 54.39 lane kilometers of access roads leading to tourism destinations, industrial trade corridors, seaports, and airports were completed at a cost of P1.18 billion; five projects/facilities supporting national security were completed at a cost of P164.92 million; 196 classrooms were completed at a cost of P146.95 million; 134.59 lane kilometers of farm-to-market roads were completed at a cost of P1.13 billion; and
Apart from completing its primary mandate of national roads, bridges, and flood-control structures in 2021, DPWH also completed 532 projects funded through its Local Program.
According to DPWH Secretary Mercado, the regional projects completed in the Region aided in the revitalization of the local economy by increasing employment opportunities.
"By implementing hundreds of local projects, we also able to ramp up our job generation in many areas of Region 8, especially in the poor provinces," Secretary Mercado explained.
Local projects completed to date total P6.55 billion in value and include the construction and maintenance of local roads and bridges, flood control, drainage, water systems, and multi-purpose buildings, including school buildings.
"It is truly empowering that DPWH continues to deliver quality infrastructure for the betterment of the Filipino people despite the pandemic," Secretary Mercado said. —Tacloban News Update (Source: DPWH)