CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Seeking ways to ease transportation, boost COVID-19 response, and ensure economic growth, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-10 sped up the completion of four big projects in the region through the implementation of the Build, Build, Build Program.

"Dinhi sa Region 10, aduna kita'y eight ka identified big ticket projects kung diin upat niini ang completed na and duha sa atong nakumpleto nga proyekto ang Malaybalay bypass road ug Valencia bypass road," DPWH-10 Regional Director Engr. Zenaida Tan said during the CORDS-X Podcast, August 7.

(Here in Region 10, we have eight identified big ticket projects, where four are already completed and two of these are the Malaybalay bypass road and the Valencia bypass road)

Tan also shared to Communications Sec. and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS)-10 Martin Andanar that with the various roads constructed and completed, travels are now made easier and faster, especially for farmers who need to transport their produce to the market. 

Under the Duterte Administration, Tan said DPWH was able to complete 2,917 km national roads, of which the region has already opened, constructed, maintained, widened, and rehabilitated along with 413 bridges. 

DPWH-10 also completed 396 flood control and 141 building projects including 9,459 classrooms. 

Tan also highlighted the completion of the main building of the Cagayan de Oro Convention Center, and the ongoing construction of P4.86 billion Panguil Bay Bridge project, Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan de Oro River-- now at 75.27% completion and Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road.

"Kung kini mahuman sa kinatibuk-an, mapahingusgan sa Cagayan de Oro Convention Center ang pamuhunan, pagpalambo sa ekonomiya, pagpauswag sa imprastraktura ug turismo, ug makahatag ug daghang trabaho. Ug kining tanan makahatag ug dako nga dugang kita sa atong syudad," she added. 

(If this will be completed, Cagayan de Oro Convention Center will aid in the investments, economic development, improvement on infrastructure and tourism, and boost in employment opportunities. All of these could augment profits in the city)

COVID-19 response

Currently, DPWH-10 has built 16 isolation facilities with 620-bed capacity added to the established facilities of the local government units (LGUs) in the region. 

"Sige pa kita sa pag-sumite sa atong mga hangyo para mapundohan ang mga proposed nato nga dugang nga mga pasilidad sa prayoridad nato nga mga lugar sa Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, ug Bukidnon diin gakataas ang mga kaso nato sa COVID-19 ilabi na nga nadungagan pa kini sa Delta variant," Tan said.

(We are still submitting our requests for funding of the proposed additional facilities of the priority areas in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon where COVID-19 cases continue to rise, especially now with the existence of the Delta variant)

DPWH-10 was also able to continue employment of workers as construction of the government's projects are not hampered even with the implementation of various quarantine levels in the region.

For the first semester 2021, there are 37,988 jobs offered in Region 10 under the Build, Build, Build Program. Also, from 2016 until the first semester of 2021, DPWH-10 has already provided 299,978 jobs in various areas of the region. 

To further give employment opportunities, DPWH-10 will also launch the Bigay Trabaho, DPWH Job Fair 2021 this month. Job seekers will be able to see vacancies of the department through DPWH's official website and Facebook pages. 

Tan assured that with our without the pandemic, DPWH will continuously provide services to the public. She just asks for understanding and patience while they are still working on the projects.

"Tinuod nga makasinati kita ug ginagmay nga kahasol samtang ongoing ang atong mga proyekto apan kini wala’y bili kung itandi sa mga benepisyo ug kaayo nga atong maani kung mahuman na ang mga proyekto," she said. 

(It is true that we may experience a little hassle while the projects are ongoing but these do not compare to the benefits that we can gain once these projects are completed). (RTP/PIA-10)