The Philippine’s Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has concluded a flood control structure and a farm-to-market road (FMR) construction in Marinduque, aiming to energise the local economy.
The completed flood project is a 371m structure in Barangay Poctoy, within the municipality of Torrijos.
DPWH Marinduque district engineer Richard Emmanuel Ragragio said: “The construction of the revetment wall is an essential measure to mitigate destructive flooding leaving serious damages to residential properties and severely affecting the living conditions of the residents in the area.”
Also, in Santa Cruz, the newly constructed 1.02km FMR in Barangay San Antonio has improved road access for local farmers, facilitating faster transportation of goods to market centres.
The project, part of a DPWH and domestic Department of Agriculture convergence programme, included shoulder construction, stone masonry, and concrete-lined canals, ensuring the road’s durability.
The flood control and FMR projects were completed with costs of 67.54m pesos ($1.15m) and 15.42m pesos, respectively, via DPWH’s Marinduque District Engineering Office (DEO).
Elsewhere, in Central Iloilo, DPWH has upgraded the New Lucena-Sta. Barbara Road, enhancing travel safety and convenience over an 8.6km stretch.
This 122.4m pesos improvement features asphalt paving, a lined canal, sidewalks, and concrete shoulders.
DPWH Region 6 director Sanny Boy Oropel emphasised that the new asphalt road reduces travel time and maintenance costs while also incorporating safety features such as reflectorised pavement markings.
Moreover, the ongoing Davao City Bypass Construction Project, which includes a 2.3km road mountain tunnel, was inspected by ambassador Kazuya Endo of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and DPWH senior undersecretary Emil Sadain.
The tunnel is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2025. It is financed partly by Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency.
