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News
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October 2008 |
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10/29/08 |
DPWH ADOPTS I.T. IN PROCUREMENT PROCESS |
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 Promoting transparency and to eliminate the potentials of graft and corruption, the Department of Public Works and Highways adopts the computerized Document Tracking System (DoTS) for procurement of goods in the DPWH Central Office.
In his Department Order No. 56, DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane said that the DPWH Central
Office’s procurement of goods which refers to all items, supplies, materials and general support services being utilized in the daily operation of the department are now mandatory to be included in the DoTS System.
Initially, the DoTS System was developed by the DPWH Road Information Monitoring and Management System (RIMMS) and the Monitoring and Information Service (MIS), which aims to utilize information technology in the processing of contractors’ claims on DPWH projects.
DPWH MIS Director Elizabeth Yap said that the computerized procurement system does not only eliminate the possibility of graft and corruption but it will also speed up the processing time of documents from months to a few days.
Among the documents that are now to be integrated in the computerized system are the Annual Procurement Plan, Project Procurement Management Plan, Purchase Request, Agency Purchase Request, Resolution of Award, Purchase Order, Notice of Award/ Notice to Proceed, Disbursement Voucher for regular procurement and Disbursement Voucher for Reimbursement.
Ebdane also added that to assure accountability, the additional guidelines on the imposition of administrative sanctions on erring officials and employees involved in project implementation and processing of project documents shall be strictly observed in the implementation of the DoTS System. |
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10/27/08 |
FUNDS FOR MINDANAO INFRA NOT REALIGNED- DPWH |
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 Contrary to the published reports that the infrastructure funds allotted for the Mindanao Area were realigned to ‘pet projects’ of politicians in Luzon and Visayas, the Department of Public Works and Highways assured that funds for infrastructure to promote peace and development in Mindanao are not realigned.
In the recent 11th Mindanao Super Region Inter-Agency Meeting conducted by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) held at Tandag, Surigao del Sur, DPWH Undersecretary Romeo S. Momo reported that records shows that the national government has not diverted the allocations for ‘peace roads’ in Mindanao to Luzon and Visayas.
‘What is allocated for Mindanao, stays in Mindanao. There is no reason for us to take away these allocations for Mindanao.” Momo said.
Despite the present hostilities in Mindanao, the DPWH has continuously been allocating funds to support peace and development in Mindanao and other conflict areas because this is one of the priority projects of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“By implementing these infrastructure projects, particularly roads and bridges, it is a government’s strategy to end these conflicts, by opening access to these hinterlands, especially those known lairs of lawless elements.”, Momo added.
Among the DPWH multi-billion projects for Mindanao are the 30 kilometer Awang-Upi Road (P518 Million),
Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, Surigao Davao Coastal Road (P3.619 Billion), Dinagat Island Road Network
(P500 Million) and Hawilian-Salug-Sinacungan-Malaybalay Road (P90 million). |
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10/24/08 |
DPWH & DEPED TO ADOPT COMPUTERIZED COST ESTIMATION SYSTEM TO SPEED UP IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOBUILDING PROGRAM |
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 To speed up the implementation of School Building Program the Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Education had express their strong support in the adoption of computerized Cost Estimate System.
During the 4th DepEd & DPWH Regional Coordination Meeting/ Workshop on DPWH Implemented School Building Projects, DPWH Region IX Assistant Director Jorge Sebastian said that the Zamboanga Peninsula region is one of the fortunate regions that has been allotted sufficient funds for the School Building Projects.
“We need to speed up the implementation of this vital projects for the benefit of the students and to improve the quality of education. This workshop is a good venue to tresh out issues and concerns so that we can formulate a system that can assure the immediate completion of all school building projects” Sebastian added.
To date, the DPWH Region 9 Office has already completed a total of 66 school building projects which will benefit for a total of 5,280 students in the 77 city and municipalities in Zamboanga Peninsula Region.
Engr. Erwin Igarta of the Physical Facilities and School Engineering Division- Office of the Planning Service of DepEd had expressed his support in the DPWH developed computerized Cost Estimation System that reduce the school building cost estimation period from three months to one week.
“If the DPWH and the DepEd will formally adopt this system this would reduce the processing time of approval of school building projects nationwide, this means that we can immediately address the classroom
shortage need for every Filipino students’ Igarta said.
The DPWH Computerized Cost Estimate System was developed by the DPWH Road Information Monitoring and Management System which aims to decrease the processing time of construction cost estimation process in the construction of roads, bridges and now also developed for the construction of buildings.
The CES is now on its pilot stage and being tested on selected DPWH district Offices. |
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10/22/08 |
DPWH CREATES PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE FOR BICOL RIVER BASIN AND WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM |
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To assure the consolidated implementation and effective management of the flood and hazard mitigation component of the Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Program (BRBWMP) of the national government, the Department of Public Works and Highways created a Flood and Hazard Mitigation- Project Management Office (FHM-PMO).
In his Department Order No. 54, DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. said that the FHM-PMO, in coordination with other concerned offices in the Department and other government agencies shall undertake necessary actions to facilitate the external as well as internal financing arrangements for the project.
The new PMO will also manage, supervise and monitor the project implementation within the target schedule.
“ The Bicol River Basin is one of the critical waterway networks in southern Luzon specifically in the provinces in Camarines Sur and Albay which needed to be contained because of the heavy siltation of volcanic debris” Ebdane said.
The BRBWMP aims to control the flow of water and manage the volcanic debris to protect lives and properties on the nearby shorelines of the river system.
The FHM-PMO will be headed by the DPWH Regional Director of Region V, in concurrent capacity and shall be assisted by an Assistant Project Director and other project managers who are flood control experts, which will be designated by Secretary Ebdane through a separate special order.
The new PMO will utilize the existing facilities and personnel of the DPWH Region V Office in Legaspi City. |
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10/20/08 |
DPWH READIES FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY |
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In preparation for the expected influx of motorists going to their respective provinces to commemorate All Saints Day, the Department of Public Works and Highways assured that all national roads are well maintained and free from any obstruction.
DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. recently ordered all DPWH Regional Directors to activate the departments “Lakbay-Alalay” Motorists Assistance Program.
The DPWH ‘Lakbay-Alalay” Program involves the creation of a composite team, including an anchorman from the DPWH regional and district offices who will be dispatched along strategic locations along national highways to respond to emergency road situations.
The motorists assistance program will start at 6:00 am on October 31, 2008 and will end up to 12:00 noon on November 3, 2008.
Ebdane also instructed all the regional offices to submit the contact numbers of the team leaders of the composite teams and situational reports every six-hours to the DPWH Bureau of Maintenance Office to strictly monitor the traffic situation during the holiday.
In his memorandum, Ebdane also ordered the field engineers to ensure that all road sections leading to all cemeteries, both public and private are well maintained and free from obstruction and provide informative/warning signs or traffic advisories in all unpassable roads.
Meanwhile, in Cordillera Region, DPWH CAR Director Mariano Alquiza said that they had recently completed the maintenance works along Kennon Road and their composite teams are already ready to be dispatched next week.
In CALABARZON area, DPWH Region IV-A Director Bonifacio Seguit said that they are currently conducting asphalt patching operation along Manila South Road in Laguna and Quezon and is expected to be completed early next week.
In Bicol Region, DPWH Region V Director Orlando Roces said that they recently completed the rehabilitation of Andaya Highway. While the asphalt overlaying project along Quirino Highway in Camarines Norte is still on-going. |
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10/17/08 |
DPWH PURSUES ZERO POTHOLES OPERATION IN METRO MANILA |
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 After the series of typhoon had entered Metro Manila in the past few months, the Department of Public Works and highways has reported the relentless efforts on patching potholes operation in Metro Manila.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. DPWH National Capital Region Robert Lala said that this week, their maintenance crew had already asphalted the potholes along 147 identified road sections in Metro Manila.
“ A total of P9.1 Million which came from the regular road maintenance fund were utilized to repair a total of 25,231 sq/m of damaged roads last rainy months” Lala said.
Among the major thoroughfares that were already repaired are the Roxas Boulevard, Quezon Avenue, Taft Avenue, Osmeña Avenue, Bonifacio Drive and Quirino Highway.
Lala also said that with the recent directive of Secretary Ebdane to prioritize the construction of drainage structures to prolong the lifespan of concrete roads, he has already ordered the district engineers to review all the scheduled road improvement works in Metro Manila and include the installation of drainage facilities.
“ We are also now coordinating with the Metro Manila Development Authority in the drainage declogging operations in Metro Manila to prevent flooding during the rainy season” Lala added. |
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10/16/08 |
DPWH COMPLETES BRIDGE LEADING TO TOURIST DESTINATION |
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 Tourist destinations in Laguna are now more accessible as the government continues to provide support infrastructure in the countryside.
Completed by the DPWH - President's Bridge Program Office thru the Urgent Bridges Construction Project for Rural Development (UBCPRD), the 40-lineal meter-long “Cavinti Bridge” in Barangay Tibatib, Cavinti, Laguna replaces the existing spillway type bridge, which is a hazard during heavy downpour because slippery when overtopped by floodwaters
Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo inaugurated the newly completed bridge last Monday (October 13, 2008) assisted by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura, DPWH Undersecretary Ramon P. Aquino who represented Sec. Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr.,, DPWH Region IV-A Dir. Bonifacio O. Seguit, DPWH-PBP Exec. Dir. Emil K. Sadain, Cong. Edgar S. San Luis, Gov. Teresita Lazaro, Cavinti Mayor Florcelie Esguerra, and other DPWH and local officials.
The President underscored the contribution of infrastructure projects like Cavinti Bridge in the development, paving the way for the promotion of eco-tourism and the easing up of the vehicular traffic in town and other parts of Laguna.
Cavinti Mayor Florcelie Esguerra thanked the President, Congressman San Luis and DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr. for the construction of the bridge.
"Malaking tulong po ito sa amin," she said, because it ensures the "uninterrupted flow of vehicular traffic, especially during heavy rains and typhoons."
Construction of Cavinti Bridge is among the foreign-assisted project funded by a loan from the Japanese Government.
It is a single span steel I-girder type bridge with about 100 meter concrete approach roads. The bottom of the girder is about 8 meters above the riverbed including a 1.5 meter freeboard from the design flood level.
Construction of this bridge will serve as one of the viable components in the promotion of the Eco-Tourism Project by the LGU with the nearby Caliraya Lake located on the upper section and the Pagsanjan Falls in the adjoining town.
It will also contribute on the uninterrupted flow of vehicular traffic during heavy rains and typhoon considering the height of the new structure. It would facilitate the transfer of farm produce from the outlying barangays on the upper section of Caliraya having easy access going to the market and also expedite day to day transfer of commuters and alternate passage from Inao-awan-Bukal Road during heavy downpour.
Constuction of Cavinti Bridge is included in Contract Package III of the UBCPRD which has a total of 64 bridges for construction in Regions I, IV-A, IV-B and V.
DPWH-PBP Executive Director Emil K. Sadain reported that out of the 64 bridge target for this contract package, there are already 57 bridges completed broken-down as follows, 1 in Region I, 20 in Region IV-A, 25 in Region IV-B and 11 in Region V.
Included also is the 380 m. Pantal Bridge in Dagupan City and the 13 bridges along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway from Calapan to Roxas in Mindoro Oriental. |
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10/16/08 |
DPWH DISMANTLES 30 ILLEGAL AND UNSAFE BILLBOARDS IN METRO MANILA |
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 In compliance with Administrative Order No. 160 & 160-A, the Department of Public Works and Highways ‘Operation Baklas Billboard’ Task Force has dismantled today (October 16, 2008) a total of 30 illegal and unsafe billboards along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
In a recent coordination meeting with the DPWH NCR, Region III and Region IV-A district engineers, DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane ordered them to immediately dismantle all billboard structures that do not have the necessary permits.
“ We are now making steps to have a strong representation with the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General to pursue legal action against the owners of illegal billboard structures to ensure that they will be liable for their violations” Ebdane added.
Among the dismantled giant billboards are those erected along Quirino Ave cor. Osmeña St. in Manila, an oversized billboard structure along North Avenue in front of SM North EDSA and illegal signages built on waiting sheds along EDSA.
During the dismantling operation headed by DPWH NCR Asst. Director Armando Estrella, an employee from the Manila Regional Trial Court and a representative from the High Dessert Billboard service provider tried to stop the dismantling operation along EDSA, but Estrella ordered the pursuance of the dismantling operation to assure the safety of the general public.
“ We’re just doing our job and nobody can prevent us from doing this for the safety of our people” Estrella added.
Meanwhile, DPWH Undersecretary and Baklas Billboard Task Force Chief Rafael C. Yabut said that before the recent billboard collapse of three giant billboards along EDSA, there was already a scheduled billboard dismantling operation last September 25, 2008 but due to bad weather condition it was temporarily suspended to assure the safety of the DPWH dismantling crew.
Last year the DPWH Opaln Baklas Billboard team has already dismantled a total of 15,036 illegal and unsafe billboard nationwide. For the month of October this year, a total of 56 billboards are already dismantled in Metro Manila. |
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10/15/08 |
EBDANE ORDERS PROVISION OF DRAINAGE FACILITIES ALONG NATIONAL ROADS NATIONWIDE |
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 To prolong the lifespan of national roads and to maximize the government’s funds for road maintenance works, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. orders all regional directors, district engineers and project directors of foreign-assisted projects to prioritize the construction of drainage facilities, i.e. line canals and cross drains, along national roads nationwide.
“Henceforth, it is the policy of the Department that prior to the paving of the national roads, construct first these drainage structures to prevent the road pavements from fast deterioration due to water seepage and flood waters,” Ebdane said during a meeting with the district and assistant district engineers of Metro Manila, Region III and Region IV-A.
Line canals and cross drains shall allow rain water along the national roads to freely flow towards natural waterways such as creeks or rivers.
It is observed that rainwater or floods in addition to overloaded trucks are the main reasons of the early deterioration of road pavements especially those overlaid with asphalt concrete.
“The drainage facilities will not only prevent flooding but it would also prolong the lifespan of roads as they prevent scouring underneath the pavement, and, of course, it would also help the department in saving funds by decreasing maintenance works along our national road network. Instead of desilting works, funds should be utilized for the construction of these drainage structures,” Ebdane also ordered.
Ebdane also instructed all district engineers to go on site and strictly monitor the construction of these drainage facilities and to ensure that all national roads along the congested metropolis are kept passable at all times. |
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10/14/08 |
DPWH COMPLETES FIVE NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN REGION X |
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 Increasing school population in Northern Mindanao will be relieved of classroom shortage this coming schoolyear as the Department of Public Works and Highways completed five new schoolbuidlings in Region X.
In support of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s School Building program, which aims to improve the standard of education in the country, DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. has directed the speedy completion of all school building projects of the DPWH to further reduce the schoolbuilding requirements.
In his report to Secretary Ebdane, DPWH Region X Director Sinaolan Macarambon said that with the good weather condition they had completed the one-classroom school buildings in Natid-Asan Elementary School in Malaybalay Bikidnon, Sta. Ana Elementary School in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental and Awol Elementary School at Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon and a two classroom school buildings at West City Central Elementary School in Cagayan De Oro City and Dologon National High School.
“ The five new school buildings are expected to serve for about a total of 700 students in Region X” Macarambon said.
For this year, in coordination with the Department of Education, the DPWH has already completed a total of 83 school buildings nationwide, while 176 are on-going. |
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10/13/08 |
DPWH FAST TRACKS P 226 MILLION ROAD PROJECT IN DAVAO |
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 Included in the Super Regions projects of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Department of Public Works and Highways reported the fast track implementation of the Tiburcio- Sto Nino Section or the Package 2 of the Kapalong-Talaingod- Valencia-Bukidnon Road in Davao del Norte.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. DPWH Region XI Director Jerome Dela Rosa said that the project is already 21.9% complete, ahead of 18.6% compared to its scheduled 3.2% accomplishment rating.
The Kapalong-Talaingod-Valencia, Bukidnon Road is a national secondary road that will links the provinces of Davao Del Norte in Region XI and Bukidnon in Region X.
The road also serves as an alternate route to the Davao-Calinan-Bukidnon Road and Agusan-Davao Road as distance savings to the potential divertible traffic currently using the said roads particularly those vehicles going to or coming from Bukidnon, to and from Davao Del Norte, Davao Oriental and southern area of Agusan Del Sur.
“ Upon its completion this new road network will not only speed up traveling time from Davao to Cagayan De Oro City but would also improve the economic activities in the said areas as it connects two of the industrial centers in Mindanao” Dela Rosa said.
The project involves the construction of 12,783 lineal meters of concrete road with grouted riprap lined canal, drainage structures, guardrails metal beams and reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings.
This P226.9 Million project is funded under the regular DPWH Infra Fund is expected to be completed on or before February 2010. |
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10/06/08 |
NEW DPWH ASSISTANT REGIONAL DIRECTORS |
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 DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. administered the oath of office of three new DPWH Regional Directors. Among the newly promoted ARD’s are (from left to right) DPWH Region XIII Assistant Director Mauro Bravo, Region II Assistant Director Norma Bautista, and Region V Assistant Director Jaime Martinez. |
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10/02/08 |
‘OFEL’ AND ‘PABLO’ LEAVE P 46.30 MILLION DAMAGE TO INFRASTRUCTURE- DPWH |
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After two consecutive tropical depression that hit the country, the Department of Public Works and Highways has reported the initial estimated P46.30 Million damage to infrastructure nationwide.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., DPWH Bureau of Maintenance, Director Luis Mamitag said that the most of the affected infrastructure facilities are located in Romblon Island. Flashfloods destroyed the Ipil and Pili Bridges along Sibuyan Circumferential Road which are still unpassable as to date have a total estimated damage of P 35 Million.
Motorists in Romblon Island are advised to take San Fernando-Magdiwang Road as an alternate route due to the damaged bridges.
“ Our respective regional and district offices have already deployed maintenance crew and equipment to conduct pallative repairs on the damage road sections to assure the immediate restoration of normal traffic flow” Mamitag added.
Among the other unpassable national roads in Cordillera Region are the Abra-Cervantes Road, Claveria-Calanasan Road and Balbalan-Pinukpuk Road along Mling Davao-Doangan Section are closed due to series of rock and landslides.
In Ilocos Region, along Manila North Road (kilometer 586) in Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte only one lane is passable because of series of land slides.
In Central Luzon the Nueva Ecija- Aurora Road along Villa, Bongabon, and San Leonardo Sections are closed to traffic due to landslide and flooded road sections.
In CALABARZON Area, the Famy Real Road is closed to traffic due to landslide.
In Bicol Region, the Nabangig Bridge in Masbate is closed to traffic due to collapsed revetment.
“ Warning signs are already installed on both ends of the affected roads to inform the motorists, maintenance crew are also on standby to respond on emergency road situations” Mamitag said. |
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10/02/08 |
PGMA LEADS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF BACOLOD-SILAY AIRPORT ACCESS ROAD |
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 Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led the groundbreaking rites for the 10.12-kilometer Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City, Negros Occidental
Assisting the President in the lowering of time capsule ceremony are DPWH Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut representing the Honorable Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr., Representatives Monico Puentevella and Jose Carlos Lacson, Silay City Acting Mayor Mark Carlos Golez, DPWH Region 6 Director Rolando M. Asis, and DPWH Negros Occidental 1st Engineering District’ District Engineer Sanny Boy O. Oropel.
Considered one of the major infrastructures to be implemented by the DPWH in Region VI under the leadership of Honorable Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr., the P1.5 billion worth New Bacolod (Silay) Airport Access Road project runs parallel to and about 3-4 kms east to Bacolod Coastal road.
The access road will traverse mostly sugarcanes fields at the Bacolod skirt of Talisay City and Silay City.
It branches off to the tip of the existing Bacolod Circumferential Road and ends at Silay-Gimbalaon road at about 500-meter west of the new Bacolod-Silay Airport.
The projects will traverse Bacolod City, Talisay City and Silay City, all in the province of Negros Occidental.
The project aims to provide smooth access to the new Bacolod Airport from Bacolod City and to reduce traffic congestion at Bacolod Coastal Road, north section, to form flexible road network and to guide and support sound urbanization of Bacolod City, Talisay City and Silay City. |
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10/02/08 |
ROAD GROUNDBREAKING |
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DPWH Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut, Representatives Monico Puentevella and Jose Carlos Lacson assist President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (l-r) in the lowering of time capsule for the P1.5billion airport access road as Silay City Acting Mayor Mark Golez, looks on. |
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10/02/08 |
PROJECT BRIEFING |
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 DPWH Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut briefs President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the P1.5billion Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road as Representatives Monico Puentevella and Jose Carlos Lacson, acting Mayor Mark Carlos Golez, DPWH Region 6 Director Rolando M. Asis, DPWH Negros Occidental 1st District Engineer Sanny Boy O. Oropel and Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez, Sr., looks on. |
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For more
information, contact :
Public Information
Division
Phone: 304-3532 |
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