The Department of Public Works and Highways Batangas I District Engineering Office held its first State of the District Address (SODA) on March 31, 2016 at the CML Resort and Water Park in Lemery, Batangas with the theme “Building towards a World-Class Destination”.
The State of the District Address or SODA is a program initiative of the Department of Public Works and Highways in order to continuously sustain governance reforms through strategic communications. It aims to develop public awareness or the involvement of stakeholders in the execution of programs and projects of the department. This effort of the department therefore strengthens transparency, accountability, integrity and public service.
The Batangas I DEO presented their CY 2015 Infrastructure projects and showed to the public their budget allocation under regular infra program, regular maintenance program and outside infra program. The budget for CY 2016 projects were also presented. A total of about seventy (70) participants attended the said event and this include representatives from the local and national government, utility companies, local media, academe, business sectors, and contractors.
The theme of the event highlighted the importance of aligning DPWH projects with the goals of Western Batangas as a tourist destination. An open forum was also held and this enabled the participants to voice out their concerns, inquiries and share their perspectives in relation to the plans and projects of the district.
At the end of the event, the DEO encouraged all participants/stakeholders to participate in a statement of commitment activity by affixing their signatures as an assurance of support to the goals and advocacies of the department and its commitment to improving the life of every Filipino through quality infrastructure.