Bulk of P7.5B Infra Projects for CenVis Goes to Cebu’s 6th District – DPWH 7

The bulk of the P7.5 billion budget for infrastructure projects in Central Visayas this year was earmarked for Cebu’s sixth engineering district, a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 official said.

The 6th engineering district covers the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu and the town of Cordova.

DPWH 7 Director Ador Canlas said the appropriation is given mostly to the 6th engineering office because of the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2015.

Canlas said Cebu will once again host the APEC Summit and some of the activities will start by the yearend.

Among the projects to be implemented are the rehabilitation of Serging Osmeña Avenue in Cebu City, completion of the Mactan Circumferential Road in Lapu-Lapu City, Naga-Carcar road widening, Cebu South Coastal roads and some sections in Talisay City and the towns of Sibonga, and Dumanjug.

“Major part of the funds for Cebu is actually part of the Department of Tourism (DOT)-DPWH convergence and also the APEC related projects are implemented in preparation for the event,” Canlas said.

He said the DPWH has the opportunity to develop these local roads that would lead to tourist destinations even if their mandate is just to develop national roads.

Canlas said infrastructure projects covered by the P7.5-billion budget do not include the calamity fund allocated for the rehabilitation of the Yolanda and earthquake affected areas in northern Cebu.

The DPWH 7 has also other projects funded from the allocations from other agencies like the school building program of Department of Education, rural health units of Department of Health, among others.

“School buildings today are more costly but they are more durable and stable as compared to previous buildings,” he said.

Canlas said the DPWH has been directed to build infrastructures that are more resilient to calamities.

Canlas assured that all infrastructure projects in primary and secondary national roads will be implemented before President Benigno S. Aquino III’s term ends.

“By 2016 all the unpaved roads will be paved. This will include not only primary but also secondary roads,” he said. (PNA)CTB/EB