DPWH requests P25-M for road clearing

by Joseph B Zambrano

Bangued (21 November) — The Department Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cordillera Region requested more than Php 25 million for the payment of removal and clearing of slides along the national roads caused by the recent typhoons.

DPWH Director Roy Manao said that they have forwarded the request for funding to their Central Office and awaiting allocation.

The Abra District Engineering Office (DEO) needs total amount of Php 928,800.00; Baguio City, Php 3,875,446.00; Benguet First DEO, Php 7,389,876,00; Benguet Second, DEO P6,325,343.80; Apayao First DEO, Php665,800.00; Apayao Second DEO, Php 2,208,320.00; Ifugao DEO, Php 3,892,910.00; Kalinga DEO, Php 532,644.85 and Mt. Province DEO, Php 3,684,662.00. The amount is computed as of October 2009.

The private contractors who work for the clearing of the roads so it will be passable are not yet paid up to this time, Manao added.

We are lobbying for the speedy release of funding so we can pay the private contractors. I would like to acknowledge them for working out of credit just to clear our roads and make it passable, Manao said.

It can be recalled during the typhoon Pepeng, Baguio City and other parts of the region were isolated for several days due to massive road cuts and landslide.

Our office and other government offices can not do it alone during the clearing operations and without the private sector as our partners, perhaps some of our roads are still closed. Manao said. (PIA)