DPWH-6 completes P83-B infra projects
— The Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office 6 (DPWH-6) has completed P83.13 billion worth of projects including road network systems, flood mitigation structures, and infrastructures that support agriculture, tourism and trade from 2022 to 2024.
“DPWH has always been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos. From 2022 to the current year, DPWH-6 has achieved significant milestones marked by a series of notable accomplishments across various projects,” DPWH-6 Director Sanny Boy Oropel said during a press conference on Tuesday.
The 16 district engineering offices across the region have constructed 1,752 units of multipurpose buildings worth P15.13 billion.
“These community hubs offer residents of various barangay (villages) spaces for recreation and wellness activities. They feature a covered court, complete with a stage, bleachers and a basketball court, serving as a multifunctional venue for numerous events and cultural activities,” Oropel said.
Meanwhile, P3.483 billion has been invested on the construction of 280 units of school buildings, equivalent to 1,088 classrooms for academic and laboratory use.
Another 60 units of school buildings have been repaired, encompassing 515 classrooms, at a cost of P317.15 million.
Since 2022, DPWH-6 has built 130,053.34 linear meters of flood control projects worth P29.05 billion to address the region’s severe flooding issues and protect vulnerable areas.
Significant improvements have also been made in road infrastructure, with 218.28 kilometers of roads widened to enhance traffic flow and safety.
DPWH-6 also reconstructed and rehabilitated 122.89 kilometers of road, and upgraded 713.78 kilometers with an asphalt overlay.
The overall improvements in the road network cost P23.47 billion, based on DPWH-6 data.
A total of 78.30 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, valued at P3.177 billion, have been upgraded from gravel to concrete, incorporating essential slope protection to ensure quicker and safer routes for farmers to transport goods to markets.
In terms of bridge projects, 143 projects worth P4.07 billion have been implemented across the region. These projects include widening bridge structures, replacing old or damaged bridges and constructing new ones to enhance connectivity.
Oropel said they are currently undertaking the rehabilitation and repair of 89 bridges to enhance safety and longevity, as well as retrofitting or strengthening eight bridges to meet current safety standards.
In collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DoTr) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the DPWH-6 completed 88.73 kilometers of access roads leading to declared tourism destinations, and 28.97 kilometers of access roads for industry and trade development.
“This collaboration has created more jobs and livelihood opportunities through improved road connectivity, enhancing the overall economic development of the region,” Oropel said.
The DoTr and DTI convergence projects amount to P4.528 billion.
Oropel added that DPWH-6 is currently undertaking various ongoing projects, including the Iloilo River North Bank Road, Boracay Circumferential Road, Bacolod Negros Occidental Economic Highway, Iloilo City Seawall, and the Negros Occidental Convention Center in Silay City, among others.