DPWH pours P171-M for Leyte road project

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is pouring out P171.19 million as budget for the improvement of Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road, the busiest road section in Eastern Visayas. Under the 2014 National Expenditure Program, road sections covered by the Leyte Second Engineering District (2nd LED), will get P95.74 million for rehabilitation, P12 million for road slip, P1.5 million for bridge repair, P19.71 million for drainage system, P14.24 million for asphalt overlay, and P28 million for paving of shoulders.

District Engr. Carlos Veloso vowed to rectify defects along sections in two years. Veloso said that with the inclusion of huge budget for 2014 maintenance activities for the road network, they are confident that the condition of the highway will improve. Bulk of the budget will be poured out within the 20-kilometer critical road section in Capoocan, Leyte. The road was damaged by regular passage of heavy vehicles and poor drainage system. The district engineer said they are committed to improve the road rating to ensure safety of motorists who pass through one of the region’s busiest national highway connecting Tacloban City and Ormoc City.

“I understand this is one of the busiest roads in the region and many trucks have heavy loads. We can minimize the negative impact by improving the thickness and construct drainage system,” Veloso added.

Last year, the DPWH Bureau of Maintenance gave a poor and fair rating for Palo-Carigara-Ormoc Road particularly the mountainous area of Capoocan, Leyte. Prior to his appointment as head of 2nd LED, Veloso was recognized for his excellent performance in road maintenance in Southern Leyte engineering district where he served for nine years until early last month.