CamNorte to get P922.5 million for vital projects

THE PROVINCE of CamNorte will received P922.5 million for its vital infrastructure projects under Bicol region’s development program, the Department Of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

CamNorte’s allotment is part of the P6.6 billion funding earmarked for the whole region to spur economic growth.

Engr Danilo Dequito, DPWH regional director, said this year’s infrastructure budget is higher by 20 per cent or P1.1 billion more compared to last year’s P5.5B expenditures.

Dequito said that of the fresh funding from the General Appropriations Act P5.3 billion will go to various projects of the different District Engineering Offices (DEOs) in the six provinces of the region.

The rest of the region will get funding as follows: CamSur gets P1.589 billion, followed by Albay with P1.048 billion, Catanduanes – P681.6 million, Masbate – P524.2 million and Sorsogon P520.7 million.

Dequito said the remaining P1.317 billion worth of projects would be carried out by the DPWH regional office.

Asked why are there projects  being implemented by the regional office when they are supposed to be pursued  by the respective district engineering offices, Dequito  explained  that those are projects  that go beyond the limit of authority granted to district offices.

District offices are only allowed to implement projects whose project cost does not exceed P150 million per DPWH order issued by Secretary Rogelio Singson.

These projects to be implemented by the DPWH regional office are the following:

- Camarines Sur/Albay Diversion Road or the San Fernando-Oas Section of the Philippine Highway (PPH), including bridges with an allocation of P300 million;

- The opening of Bacon-Manito Road, P100 million;

- Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (Flood Mitigation Component), P455 million;

- Legazpi City Urban Drainage Project, P300 million; and

- Drainage/Protection Works along National Roads, P147 millon.

“On top of these locally funded projects (LFPs) is P637 million worth of foreign-assisted projects to be implemented in CamSur and Catanduanes by the DPWH Central Office,”  Dequito disclosed.

Another P15M was earmarked for the preliminary and detailed engineering activities of all these projects for implementation, Dequito added.  – Bicol Mail