Region 2 infra projects stepped up

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is stepping up its projects in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).

Last week, DPWH regional director Rodolfo Albay announced that the P13.077-million improvement of the East Diversion of the Diosdado Macapagal Avenue is 49.45-percent complete, topping the list of seven ongoing high-impact projects that his office is fast-tracking.

Alday said the project, which included the construction of 1,253.3 meters of concrete pavement, is being closely monitored and supervised upon the orders of the DPWH’s top leadership to fast-track projects in the countryside.

"Region 2 is one of the country’s key agricultural centers that need infrastructural support," Public Works and Highways Secretary Florante Soriquez said.

The DPWH is also undertaking bank protection works in Naguilian, Isabela, with the P16.231-million third phase of the project already 34.52-percent complete.

DPWH Region 2 is also receiving foreign funding for a number of its projects, namely, the Asian Development Bank-funded Bailing and Consuelo bridge projects and the Japan Bank of International Cooperation-funded Nueva Vizcaya-Benguet Pangawan, Kayapa-Aritao section of the Baguio-Aritao Road improvement project.

The P61.889-million Baliling and Consuelo bridges are under the Sixth Road Project Bridge Component of the Bridge Seismic Retrofitting Project.