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News
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March 2008 |
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03/31/08 |
DPWH is 110 YEARS OLD… GATHERS PAST OFFICIALS IN
KICK-OFF CEREMONY |
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 Former top executives of the Department of Public Works and Highways will gather in a simple and nostalgic ceremony at the agency’s operations room today, March 31, 2008 to kick-off the series of events in commemoration of the Department’s 110th anniversary on June 23.
DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. leads the activities specifically the unveiling of the anniversary theme, the announcement of the memorabilia search and the presentation of the calendar of events for the year.
Likewise, the DPWH cofeetable book - Stone and Steel - will be formally launched with the unveiling of the ceremonial cover. Expected to join Secretary Ebdane in the book signing are the other DPWH Secretaries or OICs from 2001-2007, namely, Senior Undersecretary Manuel Bonoan and Undersecretary Florante Soriquez. Also expected to grace the event are the service and bureau directors, regional directors and project directors.
A round table discussion and consultation with previous secretaries by the executive committee of the Department is scheduled midday, focusing on past learning’s, present concerns and sharing of recommendations for the total improvement of the department’s management and operation.
Other former top DPWH officials invited include Secretary Gregorio Vigilar, Sec. Fiorello Estuar, Sec. Jose ‘Ping’ De Jesus, Sec. Vicente Jayme, Minister Jesus Hipolito, Dep. Minister Aber Canlas, Sec. Vicente Paterno, Undersecretary Edmundo Mir, and Sec. David Consunji. |
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03/28/08 |
JAPAN DONATES P21.9 M BRIDGE INSPECTION VEHICLE TO DPWH |
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 The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be now using a high technology bridge inspection equipment as the Japanese Government through its Japan International Cooperation Agency donated a new Bridge Inspection Vehicle (BIV) to the DPWH.
Yesterday (March 27, 2008), the brand new BIV was formally turned over by the JICA represented by Mr. Kenzo Iwakami, Deputy Resident Representative to DPWH Assistant Secretary Raul Asis held at the DPWH Region XI Office compound in Davao City.
The new BIV, costing P21.96 Million is one of the equipment to be used in the on-going three-year training package, the Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) under JICA, which involves capability building of engineers for the improvement of quality management for road and bridge construction and maintenance through on-the-job training programs and application of formulated technical manuals.
The training program, which started in February 2007, is a full grant from the Government of Japan.
Described as having the simplest and most practical operating system, the new BIV will eventually make great headway in the quality maintenance management and monitoring of tall and long span bridges, particularly in Region XI, being one of the three pilot areas of TCP-JICA in the country. Its remote controlled capability enables inspectors to easily reach and observe underneath portions of the bridge safely.
This will also compliment effectively the Bridge Management System (BMS), which started in the Department since 2005.
DPWH will be the only government agency in the Philippines to own this type of equipment. Meanwhile, a pool of Italian engineers of Barin Corporation, manufacturer of the BIV, will be in the country to conduct a three-day-training on the operation of the Bridge Inspection Vehicle on March 27-29, 2008 at the DPWH XI Conference Room.
Participants of this training would be TCP local counterparts from DPWH Regions 7 and 11, and Bureau of Equipment. |
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03/24/08 |
EBDANE ORDERS NEW ASSIGNMENTS FOR DPWH KEY EXECUTIVES |
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 In line with the recent appointment of Department of Public Works and Highways Assistant Secretaries Ma. Catalina Cabral and Jaime Pacanan and in the interest of public service pursuant to Executive Order No. 124, series of 1987, DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. issued Department Order No. (DO) 10 Series of 2008 amending the authorities and areas of responsibilities of DPWH Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries.
In his DO, Secretary Ebdane assigned Senior Undersecretary Manuel Bonoan to have overall supervision and management of operations of all DPWH Services, Bureaus, Regional Offices and Project Management Offices and shall oversee the overall implementation of priority projects under the “Super Regions” Program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Undersecretary Bashir Rasuman was assigned as Undersecretary for Support Services to include Administrative and Manpower Management Service, Comptrollership and Financial Management Service, Monitoring and Information Service and overall supervision of Infrastructure Right of Way (IROW) – PMO, Road Information and Management Support System and also act as Chairman of Price Escalation and Price Adjustment Committee (PEPAC), Special Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for BOT Central Selection Board and Central IROW Committee.
Undersecretary Ramon Aquino supervises DPWH operations for Luzon (Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, NCR and CAR) both for local and foreign-assisted projects. Aquino also acts as Chairman of the Central Office BAC for Civil Works in his area of responsibility and serves as head of the Legislative Liason Office.
Undersecretary Rafael Yabut supervises DPWH Operations for Visayas and Mindanao (Regions VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, and XIII) both for local and foreign assisted projects and also acts as Chairman of Central Office BAC for his area of responsibility and continues to supervise the Public Information Division.
Assistant Secretary Raul Asisl supervises the Bureau of Design, Bureau of Research and Standards and acts as Chairman of the Central Office BAC for Consultancy Services.
Assistant Secretary Dimas Soguilon supervises the Bureau of Construction, Bureau of Maintenance, and acts as Chairman of the Central Office BAC for Goods and Extraordinary Claim Review Committee.
Assistant Secretary Jaime Pacanan supervises Bureau of Equipment and Procurement Office for Civil Works and acts as chairman of the BAC for Goods.
Assistant Secretary Maria Catalina Cabral supervises Planning Service, Feasibility Study-PMO, Flood Control and Sabo Engineering Center-PMO, Built-Operate-Transfer –PMO, Environmental and Social Cervices Office and acts as chairman of the DPWH Central Office Disposal Committee.
In his order, Ebdane also added that all Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries shall report to him through the Senior Undersecretary, while the DPWH Internal Audit, Legal Service and Assistant Secretary for Planning shall continue to be directly under the Office of the Secretary. |
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03/18/08 |
DPWH READY FOR HOLYWEEK |
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The Department of Public Works and Highways assured today that all national roads in major thoroughfares especially in Cordillera Region, Calabarzon and Bicol Region are passable in anticipation of the influx of motorists during start of long holiday vacation in observance of the Lenten season.
In compliance with the directive of DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. to assure all roads are free from obstructions and the deployment of composite teams to assists motorists during emergency road situations DPWH CAR Director Mariano Alquiza said that all major roads leading to Baguio City are well maintained and the various district emergency assistance teams are deployed in identified critical areas.
Alquiza also added that they are continuously conducting roadside maintenance works such as vegetation control to assure visibility of road signs and drainage clearing works to assure the safety of the traveling public.
In Calabarzon Area, Region 4-A Director Bonifacio Seguit said that since last week, their office has already completed the pothole patching operation along Manila South Road also known as Maharlika Highway and assured that motorists going to southern Luzon will expect a smooth travel condition in going to their respective provinces.
In Bicol Region, because of the recent occurrence of heavy rains due to the La Nina phenomenon, DPWH
Region V Director Orlando Roces said that the Tigaon-Goa- San Jose- Lagonoy-Guijalo Road along Teros-Caramoan Section and the San Vicente Section is not passable due to the on-going manual repair/ restoration of damaged drainage facilities while the other previously reported impassable roads are now open to all types of vehicle.
Roces also added that because of the occurrence of rain showers in the region, they also assigned a roving emergency response team, which is composed of engineers, car mechanics, equipment operators and other service crews who are ready to give free roadside emergency repair assistance to traveling public. |
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03/12/08 |
DPWH READIES FOR LENTEN SEASON |
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Anticipating the influx of motorists especially along major thoroughfares in nearby provinces in Metro Manila during the Lenten Season, the Department of Public Works and Highways makes the necessary preparations to assure road safety and travel convenience of the public.
In his memorandum, DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. instructed all DPWH Regional Directors and District Engineers to assure that all road sections are well maintained and free of potholes; pavement markings are reflectorized to guide the night-driving motorists; kilometer posts that serve as guide to motorists are detailed and legible; and informational and directional signs are installed on conspicuous locations and well visible along national roads.
“ We will also deploy DPWH equipment and mechanics to be assigned in critical areas along national roads in round the clock shift to provide immediate assistance to emergency road situations” Ebdane said.
Ebdane also added that travel advisories for the alternate routes by-passing traffic congested areas and road sections where construction activities are on-going must be installed specifying the entry and exit point and corresponding distances.
Dubbed as “Lakbay Alalay” Program, the regional directors and district engineers were also instructed to coordinate with their respective Land and Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, and concerned officials of the local government in order that required assistance may be provided by the Department.
To assure the effective implementation of the program, the concerned officials were also instructed to provide the DPWH Bureau of Maintenance Office the names, contact numbers and schedules of their respective District Motorists Assistance Team for information and reference. |
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03/11/08 |
DPWH INAUGURATES BINAKAS BRIDGE IN LUBANG, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO |
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In line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s infrastructure investment for economic development especially in far flung areas, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. recently inaugurated the newly completed Binakas Bridge in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.
During the inauguration, Lubang Mayor Juan Sanchez thanked the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the immediate completion of the bridge projects and even cited that the new Binakas Bridge is considered as ‘one of the best infrastructure project built in Occidental Mindoro.
“ We are very thankful for President Arroyo in providing the needed funds for this project, this new bridge will now ensure accessibility within Lubang island road network which will attract more employment and investment opportunities in our municipality” Sanchez said.
In return, Ebdane said that considering that Lubang island is also known for its beautiful beaches, the DPWH will program more infrastructure projects to support its tourism industry development program.
This P15 Million worth bridge project was implemented by the DPWH Region 4-B Office and completed on time. |
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03/05/08 |
TOURISM ROAD PROJECTS IN PALAWAN FAST TRACKED-DPWH |
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Building reliable road network to further promote tourism industry in Central Philippines Region, the Department of Public Works and Highways reported the fast track implementation of critical sections of the El Nido-Bataraza Road project in Palawan Island.
DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. said that while the entire concreting of El Nido Bataraza Road is under bidding process, some critical sections were already implemented by the DPWH Region IV-B Office to immediately address the infrastructure support needs of the residents especially the tourism industry in various tourism hubs in the different municipalities of Palawan Province.
“ Considering that the El Nido Bataraza Road was included in the Central Philippines Super Regions Project the department is now speeding-up the implementation of the on-going critical sections in the said road projects” Ebdane added.
To date, among the completed sections are 23-km P310 Million worth Puerto Princesa-Narra-AboAbo Section in Southern Palawan, the 4.8-km P48 Million worth Montible-Sta Lucia Road section in Central Palawan near Puerto Princesa while the 1.95-Km P30 Million worth Puerto Princesa-Iraan Section, 1.115 Km P20 Million worth Iraan- Dumarao Section, and the 1.63 Km Sandoval-Dumarao Section are expected to be completed within the 2nd quarter of 2008.
Aborlan Municipal Mayor Celsa Adier had expressed its gratitude to the DPWH because the completion of this critical sections had reduced the travel time from Puerto Princesa to the towm of Aborlan from two hours to 45 minutes.
“ Imagine if the DPWH would complete the entire El Nido Bataraza Road, it will not only speed up the flow of traffic but it would surely increase the number of tourist going in and out of the various municipalities of Palawan” Adier added. |
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03/04/08 |
DPWH TIES UP WITH NACAP TO ENSURE STRICT BIDDING PROCESS |
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Assuring transparency and participation of private sector in the bidding process in all projects, the Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. orders all regional directors, project management offices and district engineering offices to ensure mandatory presence of at least two representatives from the National Constructors Association of the Philippines in the department’s bidding procedures.
In a memorandum signed by DPWH Undersecretary Ramon Aquino, Chairman of Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Civil Works projects for Luzon, and Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, BAC Chairman for Civil Works for Visayas and Mindanao, they instructed all field officials to notify the NACAP observers within two days prior to the date of bidding to ensure attendance and not to honor previous and not updated authorization to NACAP representatives to avoid misinterpretation by unscrupulous persons.
NACAP National President Willy Castor said that this effort would surely help the DPWH’s campaign against corruption.
“ In any case where no invitation to the NACAP observers is made, the bidding thus conducted will be considered voidable and can be annulled” Castro added.
Aside from NACAP, the DPWH also conducts bidding process with the representatives from the Commission
on Audit, Office of the Ombudsman, and other Non-Government Organizations as observers. |
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03/03/08 |
NEW DPWH ASSISTANT SECRETARIES |
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 DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. formally administered the oath of office of Assistant Secretary Jaime A. Pacanan. Assistant Secretary Pacanan is the former DPWH Director of Region VIII prior to his promotion as Assistant Secretary by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Also shown in photo are (from left to right) Assistant Secretary Dimas Soguilon (partly hidden), Undersecretary Bashir D. Rasuman, Senior Undersecretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Congressman Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Congressman Eufrocino M. Codilla, Sr. |
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03/03/08 |
NEW DPWH ASSISTANT SECRETARIES |
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 DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. formally administered the oath of office of Assistant Secretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral. Witnessing the oath-taking ceremony are (from left to right) Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut, Assistant Secretary Dimas Soguilon, Assistant Secretary Raul C. Asis, Undersecretary Bashir D. Rasuman and Senior Undersecretary Manual M. Bonoan |
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03/03/08 |
DPWH FAST TRACKS ENGINEERING WORK ON TAWI-TAWI BRIDGES |
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DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E Ebdane Jr announced the redesign and detailed engineering work for the construction of two key bridges, its 700 meter road link and approaches in Tawi-Tawi that form part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Humanitarian Offensive in ARMM under Administrative Order No. 192 dated 20 August 2007.
The Sanga-Sanga/Lapid-Lapid Bridges will connect the municipality of Bongao along Sanga-Sanga Road to the mainland of Tawi-Tawi along Lapid-Lapid Road. These two bridges, measuring 284.49 and 154.72 linear meters respectively, will enable essential services and economic activities to flourish in the area. At present, the municipality of Bongao is accessible only thru motorboats and other sea craft known as “lancha”, used to deliver agricultural and aquatic products to and from the mainland.
The initial work, which is being undertaken by the DPWH Regional Engineering Office IX, includes the two-month full survey for the Geotechnical Analysis and Design of the projects, given the physical conditions attendant to the area.
Upon instructions of President Arroyo to Secretary Ebdane, the DPWH National is spearheading the construction, assisted by the ARMM administration, using superstructure/steel decks available at site and currently under its safekeeping. These bridges were part of the Salam Bridge Program but were stopped during the term of President Joseph Ejercito Estrada for lack of fund. Further efforts by the ARMM administration to continue the project were done in the past in coordination with other agencies but failed. like the US-Growth Equity for Mindanao (GEM) and US Navy Civic Assistance Program but no positive outcome was reached.
At present, the US-Growth Equity for Mindanao (GEM) is considering participation in the upgrading of the road network leading to these bridges, particularly the 7.6km road network along Sanga-Sanga Road subject to design approval by the DPWH.
The construction of the bridges will be jointly undertaken by DPWH Regional Office IX, DPWH-President’s Bridge Program Office and the ARMM. |
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03/03/08 |
PGMA APPOINTS TWO NEW DPWH ASSISTANT SECRETARIES |
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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has appointed Department of Public Works and Highways Region VIII Regional Director Jaime Pacanan and Planning Service OIC-Director Catalina E. Cabral as new DPWH Assistant Secretaries.
Serving the department for 34 years, Director Pacanan’s vast experience in civil engineering was recognized by Malacañang when he was awarded last year by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for his leadership in the rehabilitation efforts of the government in the landslide ravaged town of Ginsaugon, Leyte.
As a professional civil engineer, he is also an active member of international as well as national engineering organization such as the American Society of Civil Engineers, Road Engineering Association of the Philippines, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Association of Government Civil Engineers of the Philippines, Society of Philippine Accredited Consultants and DPWH Directors League of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, prior to her appointment as the new DPWH Assistant Secretary, OIC-Director Cabral has been assigned to various DPWH foreign assisted project management offices such as the Asian Development Bank and International Bank for International Reconstruction Projects.
Cabral has also attended foreign scholarship grants such as the Road Maintenance and Pavement given by the Danish International Development Agency in 1994 and the International Construction Management given by the Swedish International Development Agency in 1999. |
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For more
information, contact :
Public Information
Division
Phone: 304-3532 |
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