DPWH resumes work on NCR flagship projects

MANILA, Philippines — Construction work on flagship projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the National Capital Region have resumed.

In a report to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Undersecretary Emil Sadain said civil works have resumed at Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Link Road Project, with the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) of the department strictly implementing construction safety guidelines.

To keep construction sites operating as safely as possible, Villar issued Department Order No. 35 which provides the framework and guidelines for the implementation of infrastructure projects amid a lockdown intended to contain the COVID-19 contagion.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) earlier issued Resolution No. 34 dated May 8 allowing the resumption of some construction projects and requiring compliance with DPWH guidelines.

Construction activities have also restarted for the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge Project connecting Makati City and Mandaluyong City and the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge in Manila, which are 54 percent and 32 percent complete, respectively.

For the BGC-Ortigas Center Link Road Project, the DPWH and project contractors have agreed to adopt a catch up plan to make up for the months-long delay in construction activities.

The DPWH, Sadain said, also hopes to see the Sta. Monica-Lawton Bridge project finished by December.

The 440-meter Sta. Monica-Lawton Bridge Project is a four lane bridge across the Pasig River connecting Lawton Avenue in Makati City and Sta. Monica Street in Pasig City.

Contractors took advantage of the light traffic in Metro Manila on May 13  to undertake some work on a 565-meter viaduct traversing Lawton Ave. toward the BGC entrance.