IT IS the middle of the dry season and every place is sweltering but it is a good time as any for government engineers, contractors and construction workers to finish much-needed projects in Eastern Visayas.
We are happy to report in this column the completion of three important projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 8.
The department has completed additional sections of an access road leading to Anislagan Hotspring in Barangay Anislagan, Naval, Biliran.
Based on a report submitted by DPWH Region 8 Director Edgar B. Tabacon to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, the P19-million road project involves the construction of 20 meters paved road, 722 meters of slope protection structures, concrete barriers, drainage, and installation of reflectorized pavement markings and solar lighting posts.
Completed in January 2023 in convergence with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the 6-meter wide road project is in addition to the existing and improved 400 meters concrete road previously completed by DPWH Biliran District Engineering Office in 2018.
“These improvements are crucial to ensure the safety of daily road users especially during the rainy season when the wet soil forms a thick layer of mud on the trail, causing traffic slowdown and accidents,” said Director Tabacon.
Residents in the area and visitors of Anislagan Hot Spring have expressed their gratitude for the implementation of the project which helped boost tourism and created income-generating livelihood for locals in the barangay.
The three long weekends that transpired meant lots of revenue for the resorts at Anislagan hot spring, thanks to the timely completion of this project.
Meanwhile, roads must be preserved and maintained so that they can be utilized by the people for a long time, and it is the responsibility of the DPWH to see to it that road maintenance is prompt and adequate.
The department undertakes road improvement works along the Dulag-Julita-Burauen Road in the Municipality of Dulag, Leyte. The project involves reblocking of damaged pavement and asphalt overlay at intermittent sections, as well as the installation of thermoplastic pavement markers.
The project covers the improvement of the road from Barangay Combis to Barangay San Vicente in Dulag, which aims to reduce the occurrence of accidents and improve travel safety for locals and travelers.
Target for completion by the middle of June 2023, the preventive maintenance works will help prolong the service life of roads by minimizing premature deterioration brought by heavily loaded vehicles.
The project is implemented by DPWH Leyte Second District Engineering Office, with funding from the 2023 General Appropriations Act.
Also recently, the department completed the upgrading of a bridge in Barangay Cabatuan, Oquendo District, Calbayog City, Samar. The ₱13.8-million Barral II Bridge project involves the construction of a 22.8-meter long, double-lane structure.
The new 10.8-meter wide bridge now benefits daily road users including farmers and traders, mainly in hastening the transport of local goods to commercial hubs in the city.