The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will implement a total of ₱ 9.15 billion worth of projects in Davao de Oro for the calendar year 2021.
Dean Ortiz, regional information officer of DPWH XI, disclosed that as part of the Build Build Build program, a total of 345 projects will be implemented in the province this year, which will include road opening and widening, construction of bypass roads, and flood control projects.
Among the flood control projects, Ortiz added, is the desilting of Kingking River in Pantukan, which was inaugurated last January 2021.
“Kung mahinumman ninyo sa pipila ka tuig niagi, gibaha ang Pantukan tungod kay heavily silted na ang Kingking River so gipangitaan og remedyo nga dili na mausab katong unfortunate event nga mi displaced pa ang more than 3000 families niadtong 2019,” he said.
According to the data from DPWH, 109 projects worth ₱ 2.312 billion will be implemented in the first legislative district of the province; while 120 projects worth ₱ 1.981 billion in the second legislative district.
Aside from these, Ortiz said that other projects are under the regional office projects, and for late release.
Data also noted that 11 projects worth ₱ 154 million are allocated for the construction and improvement of roads leading to tourism destination, while 12 projects worth ₱ 182 million are for roads leading to trades, industries, and economic zones.
The budget also included installation of road safety facilities worth ₱ 300 million.
It can be remembered that among the most gruesome road accidents in the region happened in the highways of Davao de Oro.
Last October 8, 2020, certain Donna Belle Caspillo was decapitated as the motorcycle she was driving crashed into an elf truck along the curved portion of Kilometer 67 in Mawab.
Also in February 4, 2019, seven persons died while 30 others were injured in a collision of buses along Kilometer 92 in Nabunturan.
(Michael Uy, PIA XI | Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao OIC)