Construction of DPWH infra projects in Biliran resumes

By DPWH-Biliran
May 28, 2020

NAVAL, Biliran – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Biliran District Engineering Office resumes construction works of DPWH infrastructure projects under strict safety guidelines, this after the province is placed under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

In an interview with David Adongay Jr., District Engineer by a local reporter here, he said that they are strictly following the May 19, 2020 Department Order No. 39 signed by Sec. Mark Villar, “Revised Construction Safety Guidelines for the Implementation of DPWH Infrastructure Projects during the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis” to avoid contagion.

“Nagresume na tayo pero meron tayong patnubay na sinusunod prior to deployment of workers on the field based on the aforesaid DO on Construction Safety Guidelines as well as the minimum health standards ng DOH like social distancing, proper hygiene, wearing of facemasks at kailangan yung’ mga workers physically fit,” said Adongay.

He also added that DPWH engineers assigned at the site are strictly guided by DOLE D.O.13, series of 1998 and implementation of wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required such as but not limited to facemasks, face shields and long sleeve T-shirts and physical distancing at least 2-meters.

According to Adongay, all of their 2020 projects are now on-going.

For 2020, Biliran DEO is implementing a total of 35 projects. Out of this number, 33 are already on-going while two are completed posting 28.89% accomplishment as of April 30, 2020.

Adongay said that there are still 40 projects whose funding is “For Later Release” (FLR) by the Department under 2020 implementation.

“In case funds for FLR projects are released, we will immediately start the projects,” said Adongay.

However, Adongay added that if reduction of funds for FLR projects is needed because of COVID-19 crisis, the district office will coordinate with the Local Government Unit (LGU), Biliran Congressman, and the Governor to identify priorities that are most in need by the Biliranons.

Moreover, Adongay said that they will also consider the technical aspect of projects to be prioritized like Road-Right-Of-Way (RROW) problem to make sure that all projects will be completed by the end of 2020.