2020 INFRA PROJECTS. Department of Public Works and Highways Caraga director Pol delos Santos says a total of PHP19.7 billion worth of infrastructure projects will be implemented in the region for 2020. DPWH-13 is also completing two high-impact road projects that will connect Caraga to the rest of Northern Mindanao. (PNA photo by Alexander Lopez)
BUTUAN CITY – A total of 207 infrastructure projects worth PHP19.7 billion will be implemented in Caraga Region this year, a Department of Public Works and Highways official said on Tuesday.
DPWH-Caraga director Pol delos Santos told reporters that most of the projects geared this year consist of roads and bridges.
A total of 57 infrastructure projects worth PHP10.1 billion will be undertaken by the DPWH while 150 projects worth PHP9.2 billion will be distributed to nine district offices in the region, delos Santos said.
“Most of the 2020 projects are considered high impact projects that will help spur the development of the Caraga Region particularly the provinces,” he said.
Of the district offices, the Surigao del Norte 2nd Engineering District will get the biggest allocation with PHP1.4 billion covering 32 infrastructure projects, followed by the Agusan del Sur 2nd Engineering District with PHP1.3 billion budget with 26 projects, and the Agusan del Norte District Engineering Office with PHP1.2 billion covering 18 projects.
Butuan City District Engineering Office will receive a PHP711.8 million budget for this year with five infrastructure projects while the Dinagat Islands will receive 24 projects worth PHP705.3 million.
Delos Santos said Agusan del Sur 1st Engineering District will have nine projects worth PHP724.6 million; Surigao del Norte 1st Engineering District with 20 projects worth PHP902.4 million; Surigao del Sur 1st District with nine projects worth PHP1.072 billion; and Surigao del Sur 2nd District with seven projects worth PHP1.042 billion.
He also said aside from the new projects, they are also pushing for the completion of big-ticket projects that will connect the region to the areas in Central and Northern Mindanao.
Among these projects include the East-West Lateral Road that will connect the province of Agusan del Sur to Bukidnon, and the Buenavista -Lawan Lawan-Boundary Bukidnon Road.
Delos Santos said the PHP1.1 billion Agusan-Malaybalay Road that started in 2015 and set to be completed this year is 77.62 percent complete as of December 31 last year while the PHP1.9 billion Buenavista-Lawan Lawan Road is 79.01 percent complete as of the same period.
Aside from connecting Caraga to Region 10, delos Santos said the two road networks will also promote biodiversity in the Northern Mindanao Corridor and boost eco-tourism, agriculture, industry, and domestic trade. (PNA)
