CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – Eighty-two out of 134 infrastructure projects in the second district of Oriental Mindoro were awarded to winning contractors before the ban on public works projects took effect on March 28, the start of the 45-day local campaign period in the May elections, the Department of Public Works and Highways said.
THE DPWH-Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office successfully completed a two-lane, 590-linear meter bridge in Barangay Lumangbayan in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro in line with Malacanang’s goal of connecting isolated areas with the town center to stimulate growth and development. (DPWH-SMDEO)
Engr. Annielyn E. Padullo, DPWH Southern Mindoro District Engineering Office district engineer, said P1.7 billion have been allocated for these projects.
Padullo cited the close collaboration made by her office with Oriental Mindoro Rep. Alfonso V. Umali Jr., who, she said, came out with an equitable, transparent, and accountable allocation in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.
Umali’s office said the lawmaker was able to use his long experience as member of Congress in sourcing additional funds which last year reached P7 billion for various infrastructure and other development projects.
Padullo said the Omnibus Election Code (Batas Pambansa Bilang 881) strictly prohibits the release, disbursement, or expenditure and the construction and delivery of materials for public works during election period, thus. the need for an exemption.
She said that for fiscal year 2025, the regular infrastructure projects in the second district of Oriental Mindoro consists of 22 roads, 12 flood control, nine bridge, and 91 convergence projects with three roads under the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP).
For the Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) program, DPWH funded the construction of 14 roads, one bridge, and five flood control projects.
Six roads, one bridge, one flood control, and 60 buildings are under the Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP).
Padullo said the awarded projects are aimed at ensuring a safe and reliable national road system which consist of two preventive maintenance of secondary roads and one construction and rehabilitation of drainage on the national highway under the Asset Preservation Program.
Completion of these projects is expected to boost socio-economic development in Oriental Mindoro, potentially alleviating poverty and improving access to essential services and link markets and urban centers.
Padullo thanked Assistant District Engineer Emmanuel A. Manalaysay and all personnel of her office for their support as they vowed to fulfill the department’s mandate by implementing these projects.
“DPWH-Southern Mindoro DEO continuously affirms its commitment to maintaining and improving transportation infrastructure, which is crucial for national economic development, accessibility, and overall mobility, as well as ensuring the development and safety of the community by providing quality infrastructure facilities and services that adhere to the people's needs,” Padullo said.