BUTUAN CITY - Ground works for flagship projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Caraga region are moving forward and hitting their target timeline of completion despite the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Among of the flagship project of the Duterte Administration under its "Build, Build, Build’ program in Caraga region is the more than P2.937 billion Boundary Bukidnon/Agusan del Norte Road (Buenavista-Lawan Lawan-Boundary Bukidnon) project.

In his progress report to Secretary Mark A. Villar on Wednesday afternoon, DPWH 13 Regional Director Engr. Pol M. Delos Santos said that as of June 30, 2020, the project is already 72.34% accomplished.

“We have remaining 31.47% ongoing ground works which include the upgrading (unpaved to paved) of 7.73 kilometers road,” the region’s top DPWH 13 official said.

He said construction work for the 75.00 lineal meters length permanent bridge are also ongoing.

Delos Santos said the DPWH is strictly complying with the stringent health and safety protocols during the pandemic and construction activities have been ongoing “without let up” to hit their target time of completion by the year 2021.

The ground works for the Boundary Bukidnon/Agusan del Norte Road (Buenavista-Lawan Lawan-Boundary Bukidnon started in 2015.

Once completed, full blown economic and tourism activities are seen in this area, which will connect Caraga region to the Northern Mindanao region or Region 10.

“This is also a big boost to our farmers and businesses in the countryside,” Delos Santos said.

He added that the road network passing the mountainous areas will also promote biodiversity in the Northeastern and Northern Mindanao Corridor and boost eco-tourism, agriculture, industry, and domestic trade.

"Despite the health crisis that we are facing today, the Duterte administration's flagship projects under its 'Build, Build Build' program are ongoing, are being fast-tracked, and moving forward, without hindrance, to hit their target dates of completion,” Delos Santos pointed said.

"Our engineers, contractors, and workers are all on the ground redoubling their effort in hitting their respective timeline of completion,” Delos Santos said in an exclusive interview with The Manila Bulletin on Wednesday.

Under the "Build, Build, Build" program in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga region, DPWH 13 is implementing various infrastructure projects worth P22,398,206,000.00 in the five provinces and six cities in the region. 

These projects include the East-West Lateral Road that will connect the provinces of Agusan del Sur to Bukidnon, and the Buenavista -Lawan Lawan-Boundary Bukidnon Road.