The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed a total of 350 infrastructure projects in CARAGA region last year.
DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado said among the projects are road networks that would help in the mobility of Filipinos in the region. All the projects amounted to P22.178 billion.
“DPWH is committed to completing these projects ahead of time to promote not just better infrastructure but also eco-tourism agriculture, and trade for CARAGA,” said Mercado.
He said they are set to complete 381 projects. On the other hand, a total of 29 projects are yet to start.
The DPWH Region 13 office has delivered the completion of several multi-year programs that are now being used to improve access of both residents and tourists in the region.
In Siargao Island, the newly-inaugurated 348.8-meter Catangnan-Cabitoonan Bridge, 75.8-meter Libertad Bridge 1, and 36.8-meter Libertad Bridge 2 along the 11.847-kilometer Dapa Port–Consuelo-Corazon-Sta. Cruz-Sta. Fe-Libertad-Cabitoonan-Catangnan–Gen. Luna Road is now providing an alternate route from Dapa Port to Brgy. Catangnan.
Also, the P24.87 million Barangay Basag to Barangay Camayahan Farm to Market Road (FMR) completed in March 2021 has allowed farmers to transport products faster and easier.
Meanwhile, Assistant Director Abdulfatak A. Pandapatan said that DPWH Region 13 is fast-tracking the completion of high-impact projects under the Roads Leveraging Linkages of Trade and Industry (ROLL IT) Convergence Program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and DPWH.
Among the ROLL-IT projects are the 39.81-km Access Road leading to Nasipit Agusan del Norte Industrial Estate Special Economic Zone (NANIE-SEZ) in Barangay Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte and the 4.73-km East-West Lateral Road connecting Agusan del Sur to Bukidnon.
Regional connectivity and economic development are also expected with the completion of the 45.34-km NRJ-Mayor Democrito Plaza II Avenue-Las Nieves Sibagat Road between Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte and the P6.7 billion Cabadbaran-Puting Bato-Lanuza Road being constructed as a part of the Mindanao Logistic Infrastructure Network.