The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Philippines has finished two road-widening projects to alleviate traffic congestion on the national road in Del Gallego Town, Camarines Sur.

DPWH secretary Manuel M Bonoan, referencing a report from DPWH Regional Office 5 director Virgilio C Eduarte, revealed the addition of lanes on portions of Rolando A. Andaya Highway in the town.

The projects extended the roads from two lanes to four and spanned 1.61km.

These completed projects also included the installation of reinforced concrete box culverts and storm drains for flood control, metal guardrails, sidewalks, and reflectorised thermoplastic pavement markings to enhance road safety.

The DPWH Camarines Sur 1st District Engineering Office, led by district engineer Ramon Anselmo C Calagos, carried out the 11-month widening of Andaya Highway from February 2024 to January 2025.

Bonoan said: “The improvement of Andaya Highway is vital in the town’s traffic decongestion, especially during [the] holiday season, as it is the preferred route of motorists heading to other parts of Bicol Region.”

In addition to the road-widening projects, DPWH has delivered a flood-control project for the residents of Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila.

Bonoan, citing a report from DPWH National Capital Region director Loreta M Malaluan, emphasised the extension of slope protection along the riverside of Baseco Compound by 272.8 linear meters.

This fourth phase of the project, costing 96.49m pesos ($1.67m), complements three earlier phases and serves as a primary defence against river overflow and flooding.

Malaluan stated that the project, which ran from May 2024 to January 2025, also aims to avert soil erosion and improve water quality.

Furthermore, DPWH recently finished constructing an access road leading to the Rolling Hills in Ramon, Isabela Province, marking another milestone in its commitment to improving the country's infrastructure.