Capitol earmarks P8.2 billion for concreting projects

CEBU, Philippines —  More than 400 kilometers of provincial and barangay road concreting projects are expected next year as approved by the Cebu Provincial Development Council.

With a total allocation of P8.2 billion for the Annual Investment Plan Development Fund for 2021, the biggest chunk amounting to P6.2 billion is allocated for the road or bridge construction, improvement and rehabilitation program.

During the PDC meeting Wednesday, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said they are targeting to construct more than 400 kilometers of provincial and barangay roads.

Garcia has emphasized the infrastructure and water system projects as the priority next year as this will help in the economic recovery.

“This is the way that we will be proceeding, focus on infrastructure labi na ang dalan, accessibility mao gyud nay labing una nga makatabang sa pagbangon og balik sa atong ekonomiya. And we are not only focusing on our provincial roads, we are including the barangay roads as well,” said the governor.

She urged the city and municipal mayors to submit their priority projects for the provincial roads and barangay roads not later than November 18 in order for the Provincial Engineering Office to cross check if it is already included in the 2020 budget or not.

“Amo nang i-cross check sa giandam sa Provincial Engineering Office and also cross check with the 2020 budget. Basin abi ninyo wala nay sementohon diha pero naapil nato sa 2020. Amo nang i-cross check but we’d like to get your inputs kay kamo gud mga mayor mas nakabalo kun asa gyud mas nagkinahanglan kaayo,” said Garcia.

Aside from that, she also urged the local chief executives to submit their water development proposals as soon as possible for the Provincial Engineering Office to validate and start working on the proposed projects.

Just like in Carmen town, she pushed for the development of level three water supply systems which will be run by the local government units (LGUs).

“Level three. Dili ta level two, and it must be the local government units ang mopadagan sa water works system because it can be an economic enterprise and of course because there is accountability,” the governor said.

The water supply program has an allocation of P200 million in which the governor explained that there is about P700 million continuing appropriation under the 2020 budget.

Based on the AIP, other projects include the site acquisition and development of Cebu Provincial Government Center with P550 million allocation; airport/seaport and reclamation and other site development program with P500 million; construction and improvement and rehabilitation and furnishing of buildings and other structures program with P4.4 million allocated budget.

While P100 million each is allocated for the construction of drainage systems, slope protection and flood control structures; development or restoration of cultural heritage buildings, park, museum and other community sites; and procurement of ambulance, mini dump trucks, multicabs and other motor vehicles.

Around P74 million is also allocated for the loan amortization of the heavy equipment. — GMR (FREEMAN)