NAVAL, Biliran (PIA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Biliran District Engineering Office (BDEO) has allocated P2.58 billion for infrastructure projects this year.
According to the OIC-District Engineer, Irwin L. Antonio, the budget allocation for BDEO under the under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) has increased by about 36 percent compared to the P1.89 billion budget allocation in 2023, amounting to P2.58 billion.
Engr. Irwin L. Antonio, along with some key officials of the engineering district, inspected the progress of the construction of the new Biliran DEO building in Barangay Larrazabal, Naval, Biliran. The new office building is expected to be completed this year. (Photo courtesy of Chelsea Q. Salloman/BDEO)
He said that this year’s priority projects under the regular infrastructure funding involve the rehabilitation/reconstruction of eight roads with slips, slope collapse, and landslides, five construction/upgrades/ rehabilitation of drainage along national roads, one rehabilitation/reconstruction/ upgrading of damaged paved roads, and one off-carriageway improvement, all under its asset preservation program with P525 million allocated budget.
The BDEO also prioritized seven road widening projects and constructing three bypass and diversion roads, for which P495 million has been allocated under its network development program. In addition, P492.7 million has been allocated for the construction/maintenance of 15 flood mitigation structures and drainage systems under its flood management program.
The ongoing construction of the Naval diversion road project in Barangay Sto. Niño, Naval, Biliran is one of the three by-pass and diversion road projects being implemented by Biliran DEO this year. The multi-year project is part of the P495-M Network Development Program under the P2.58-B budget allocation for Biliran DEO this year. (Photo: PIA Biliran)
Antonio added that the BDEO will also implement various infrastructure projects this year under the Convergence and Special Support Program (CSSP). The funds for these projects are facilitated for release through Biliran Lone District Rep. Gerardo J. Espina Jr.
Among the projects under CSSP are the construction/improvement of four access roads leading to declared tourism destinations worth P115 million under Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP), construction/improvement of four access roads leading to trades, industries and economic zones amounting to P75 million under Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL-IT) program, construction of thirteen flood mitigation structures protecting public infrastructure and one major strategic building with a total amount of P425 million and one construction of major strategic public building amounting to P70 million, all under the Sustainable Infrastructure Project Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) program.
Other infrastructure projects under CSSP are the construction/rehabilitation of eight access roads from the national roads leading to significant strategic buildings amounting to P55 million; the construction of thirteen flood mitigation structures protecting strategic buildings worth P113 million; and the construction of twenty-five multi-purpose building to support social services worth P153.5 million, all under Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP).
The BDEO will also construct a national building worth P50 million under the national building program and allocate an additional P10 million for the Special Road Fund-Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) per R.A. 11239, under the Local Infrastructure Program (LIP) fund.
Antonio mentioned that the BDEO has accomplished 77.28 percent of its pre-construction activities as of January 4, 2024, based on the total number of projects bid out. (RSV/PIA Biliran with reports from Chelsea Q. Salloman/BDEO)
