The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has allotted P59 billion budget under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) to finance the 990 projects in all districts in the entire MIMAROPA region.
During the maiden episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday, May 28, DPWH Region IV-B Regional Director Gerald Pacanan said that its regional office has an allocation of P36.9 billion to fund 212 projects under its unit.
For the province of Palawan, its first Engineering District will have an allocation of P2.4 billion to support 132 projects, followed by P1.9 billion for the second Engineering District of the province to finance 77 projects. Its third Engineering District, covering the city of Puerto Princesa and Aborlan municipality, has an allocation of P860 million for the 46 projects.
“Nadagdagan ito from time to time based ito kung dina-download ng DOH, Department of Tourism ang mga projects nila dadagdag. Gaya ng DA dahil sa farm-to-market roads natin, itong figures ay based on GAA 2024,” he said.
During the department’s presentation of accomplishments, Pacanan reported the completion of a total road length in Palawan of 1,039.422 kilometers and 279 total bridges. This development is part of the total road completion in the region of 2,296.948 kilometers and 639 bridges.
Pacanan further explained that the facilitation of the project depends on the budget limit and the delegated authority assigned by the Department’s secretary.
A project with a cost of P150 million to P300 million goes to the regional level as the implementing office, while those funded with P150 million and below are facilitated by district offices.
The implementing office can be identified through postings on the Department’s website and project billboard. The implementing office is already indicated once the GAA is approved, the official added.
There are also times that even projects amounting to less than P150 million go to the authority of the regional office as a facilitating unit as a result of the decisions of lawmakers and other government agencies.
“Sila ang may discretion kung saan nila gusto i-implement ang project because of various reasons. Siguro of the complexity of the project, the gravity of the project, mga ganong bagay kung sino ay may kakayahan na mag-implement ng proyekto,” Pacanan said.
The district offices can also handle projects even beyond P150 million as long as they seek authority from their higher units for reasons such as the continuation of the project or technical capacity.
The Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas is organized by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
It is a synchronized event across all regions that will feature one Department every Tuesday at 9:00 am through multi-media platforms.
This communications initiative aims to enhance public understanding and engagement with the programs and projects of implementing
agencies at the grassroots level; amplify the policies, activities, and achievements of each featured department, consistent with the mandate of the administration’s Bagong Pilipinas governance and leadership agenda.
Also, it aims to fulfill the President’s directive for all departments to promote their activities and operations across all regions, highlighting a government in action.
The June 4 Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas will feature the Department of Transportation. (RG/PIA Mimaropa-Palawan)
