Finally! DPWH moves to relocate electric posts in the middle of widened roads
The electric posts, which render some of the government’s road-widening projects practically useless, will soon be relocated to where they are supposed to be.
This, after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has committed to come up with guidelines on validation and prioritization of payment on the relocation of electric poles that are within road right-of-way (ROW).
DPWH Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Anne Sharlyne G. Lapuz said they are now also preparing a detailed master list of the electric posts that must be relocated in the soonest possible time.
She said the DPWH Legal Service and Regional Offices Right-of-Way and Legal Division (ROWALD) nationwide agreed to take proactive steps and give serious attention to the relocation of obstructing electric poles which is a common issue especially in ongoing and newly-widened roads across the country.
“By the end of our meeting, we have agreed to formulate a standard procedure in the actual and physical validation of electric poles located within the government's right of way,” said Lapuz.
“We will also prepare a detailed master list and the transitory guidelines in the prioritization of payment and relocation of electric poles considering we are working with a P50 million budget in 2023,” she added.
Lapuz said she also ordered a close coordination of DPWH with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) on the proposed courses of action. (Nicole Magmanlac)