The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has committed to strictly monitor the progress of infrastructure works in the Bulacan to ensure that they would all be completed in the soonest possible time. In an interview, DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office (DEO) Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, specifically pointed out to the on-going “Network Development Program–Construction of By-pass and Diversion roads-Balagtas Diversion Road (Phase 5) project. With a project cost of P69,479.845.54, Hernandez stated that its actual accomplishment at present is at 65 percent which is far beyond the planned accomplishment of 48.95 percent for a 16.05 percent positive slippage. Slippage is an engineering term which refers to the work progress of an infrastructure project with positive rating indicating that it is ahead of schedule and the negative mark specifying delays in project implementation. Hernandez appealed to the public to bare with the ‘temporary inconvenience’ during the construction period as work is being rushed to ‘shorten at the most minimal level the bothersome traffic congestion while work is in progress.’’ “With due respect to the affected road users, inconvenience during the construction of government infrastructure projects is normal. Rest assured that the DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office under District Engineer Henry Alcantara is doing its best to avoid delays and finish the project on time if not ahead of schedule,’’ Hernandez explained. In some cases, Hernandez noted that “there may be delays in the progress of work or completion of DPWH infrastructure projects due to road-right-of-way disputes, bad weather conditions, budgetary constraints or at times unfavorable peace and order situations in some areas. He emphasized that the “inconvenience during the construction period in this project is worth the sacrifice” as its completion will “mark another chapter of the economic boom in Balagtas town and neighboring areas in Bulacan, Pampanga and Metro Manila with the motorists having much safer trips, shorter travel time and the traders delivering their goods more conveniently at lesser vehicle fuel and maintenance costs.” Hernandez also noted that motorists, specifically traders, are now enjoying a more convenient and safer travel with the early completion of the Preventive Maintenance-Primary Roads Manila North Road-Malolos section project in Malolos City. The P96,499,156.90 project was completed on Feb. 20, 2023 which is ahead of the target completion date of Dec. 20, 2023. (Chito A. Chavez)