More high impact projects will be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways - Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR) in line with the ‘Build, Build, Build’ campaign of the government, says Regional Director Nerie Bueno.
During the Kapihan Media Forum held on July 4, 2017, Director Bueno mentioned two ongoing projects that will enhance mobility and propel economic growth in the region.
The Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road project will connect Northern Cordillera to Ilocos Region, reducing the travel time from five (5) hours to one and a half (1.5) hours; while the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) Outer Ring Circumferential Road will interconnect five municipalities and one city. It will complement the BLISTT Inner Ring Circumferential Road providing faster travel time and decongesting traffic within the Central Business District of Baguio City.
For this year, the Regional Office has an approved budget of ₱13.9 Billion, which is five times higher than the ₱3.2 Billon allocated in 2016. The increase in infrastructure budget is aligned with the economic agenda of the President to fast track project implementation and delivery of services in the coming year and alleviate poverty in Year 2022 by providing quality infrastructure facilities to improve the life of every Filipino.
“We are proud to say that we are now able to give better service to the people of CAR through our projects”, Director Bueno reiterated. DPWH-CAR improved its rank from 16th place to 8th place in terms of accomplishment in the Department.
Under the leadership of Director Bueno, DPWH-CAR is in a strategic position to maximize its growth as it moves forward. The Office will continually deliver excellent public service and provide quality infrastructure facilities.