The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is already fast tracking the implementation of two high-impact infrastructure projects in Central Luzon under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program.

According to DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations and Technical Services Emil K. Sadain, project managers and engineers assigned at Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III (Plaridel Bypass Road) in Bulacan and Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Low Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay has been instructed to ensure that contractors not only speed-up construction activities but also strictly adhere to prescribed specifications and standards that will make the two Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects last their supposed economic life.

Following the call of DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar to hasten implementation of all projects nationwide, the ongoing 24.61-kilometers Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III in Bulacan funded by loan agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency has already reached 74 percent completion of its contract package 1 while two remaining contract packages are set for bidding in January 2020.

On the other hand, the ongoing Korea Export–Import Bank -assisted Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Low Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay has attained 20 percent accomplishment.

“When completed, these DPWH road and flood control projects financed by ODA will be beneficial in improving existing traffic conditions especially in congested areas of Daang Maharlika in the Province of Bulacan and mitigate flooding in low-lying areas of Pampanga,” Undersecretary Sadain said.

DPWH through the UPMO is currently managing 26 big ticket ODA projects nationwide which are vital to increasing productive capacity of the economy, generate more jobs, and strengthen the investment climate leading to sustained inclusive growth of the Philippines.