A total 1,314 infrastructure projects were completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (Calabarzon).
DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado commended the Regional Office 4-A and its District Engineering Offices for successfully implementing the projects despite the struggles brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These projects are expected to contribute in the economic recovery in the region after tough times due to the pandemic.
“Calabarzon is the most populated region in the country, hence our infrastructure development here is focused on easing mobility especially going in and out of Metro Manila,” said Mercado.
“I am glad to announce that in 2021, our DPWH Region 4-A was able to accomplish a lot roads and other vital projects despite the pandemic,” added Mercado.
In his report to Mercado, DPWH Senior Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut, overall in-charge of Regional Operations and DPWH Region 4A Director Jovel G. Mendoza, the office was able to complete projects costing P7.17 billion under its Road Infrastructure Program in 2021, which include the 19.2 kilometers of road construction, improvement, rehabilitation and widening; the 30.87 kilometers of road opening; and 92.32 kilometers of asphalt overlay.
Also part of the program that were completed were national bridge projects amounting to P670 million involving 38 bridge construction projects with a total length of 186.95 meters, and 12 retrofitted bridges; 18 flood control projects composed of dikes, seawalls, river control, revetment river walls, and other drainage projects costing P7.15 billion; and 378 other local public infrastructure projects amounting to P13.91 billion.
The DPWH Region 4-A, in partnership with other government agencies and local government units, also accomplished 24 farm-to-market roads with a total length of 24.79 kilometers; five school buildings with 42 classrooms; 23 tourism roads with combined length of 146.73 kilometers; five evacuation centers; two disaster related rehabilitation projects, and 13 COVID-19 related facilities.
Yabut said the public will soon benefit from the completion of the Region’s high-impact projects which include the Laguna-Quezon Connector or the Alaminos-San Pablo City By-Pass Road, which is now 44 percent complete; the Batangas City-San Pascual-Bauan Diversion Road, which is now 63 percent complete; Sariaya By-Pass Road, which is 89 percent complete; Tagaytay By-Pass Road, which is 58 percent complete; Lobo-Malabrigo-Laiya-San Juan Road, which is 63 percent complete; and Tayabas By-Pass Road l, which is now 90 percent complete.