By Mike Crismundo  BUTUAN CITY – Regional Director Engr. Pol M. Delos Santos of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday ordered all contractors in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga region to strictly comply in putting signages or early warning devices (EWD) in their respective contracted infrastructure projects or else face punitive sanction – suspension or termination of contract with the government. The region’s top DPWH official issued this stern warning following reports that some contractors do not adhere to road construction policy which is very vital in averting road accident to commuters. “This is part of the contract they signed before commencing the ground works, especially on road constructions,” stressed Director Delos Santos. The region’s DPWH 13 chief, who conducted on the spot ground inspection of different infrastructure projects in the region, particularly roads, ordered all Project Engineers (PE) in the different District Engineering Offices (DEOs) spread in the five provinces and six cities in Caraga region to strictly imposed the road construction policy and punish non-compliant contractors. “The safety plan, policy and guidelines they (contractors) signed in the contract must be followed or else punitive action must be given to them,” stressed the region’s top DPWH official in Caraga region. All District Engineers (DEs) are also ordered to go on the ground in 24/7 basis to personally supervise the ground works of their respective contractors in an effort to strictly follow the safety plan for road construction. “Safety of our commuting public is our priority concern and these sinages and EWDs are very vital, especially during night time to avoid accident,” stressed further Director Delos Santos. Currently, under the Duterte Administration’s Build, Build, Build Program, the DPWH Caraga Region 13 is implementing several infrastructure projects. These infrastructure projects are flood control, school buildings, bridges, evacuation centers and roads including roads leading to various tourism destinations in Caraga region. These infrastructure projects are located in the different areas in the five provinces and six cities in Caraga region. “We are redoubling our effort to hit our target timeline by the end of this year,” also stressed Director Delos Santos, in an exclusive interview with The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday. “The connectivity of roads, including lateral roads will surely boost the growing economy in Caraga region and neighboring regions in Southern and Northern Mindanao regions,” the region’s DPWH chief said. Road connectivity also creates job opportunities to locals, he said. The DPWH 13 already proposed 651 different infrastructure projects, with recommended budget of P24, 532,082 billion for calendar year 2019.