Infra Bulletin - July to September 2022

Editorial Team

The Department of Public Works and Highways deployed its Quick Response Equipment and Maintenance Teams at the height of Super Typhoon “Karding” to immediately address the possible impact of the said calamity.

Zambales 1st District Engineer Hermon Ines said that their manpower and equipment were immediately prepositioned on Olongapo-Bugallon Road, Zambales-Tarlac Road, AmunganPalauig-Banlog Road and San Marcelino-San Antonio-San Narciso Road.

Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija 1st District Engineer Armando Manabat said that their quick response assets were also deployed at the KO193+400 Section of Daang Maharlika in Brgy. Putlan, Carranglan and at the KO164+600 Section of Jct. Pinagpanaan-RizalPantabangan Road in Brgy. West Poblacion, Pantabangan.

Aurora District Engineer Roderick Andal mentioned in his report that a total of 8 heavy

for Super Typhoon

equipment were mobilized when there was a need to conduct clearing operations in the province.

DPWH Region 3 continued to monitor the possible effects of the weather disturbance and regularly provided road situational reports.

DPWH Region 3 Equipment Management Division

On September 25, 2022, all quick response equipment of the Region 3 Equipment Management Division and different Area Equipment Sections of the Department of Public Works and Highways have been positioned in critical locations in case there was an urgent need for road clearing and disaster response operations.

The rapid response assets were on standby in the following areas according to the Region 3 EMD report:

Nueva Ecija

1. Daang Maharlika, K0193+400, Brgy. Putlan, Carranglan

2. Jct. Pinagpanaan - RizalPantabangan Road, K0164+600, Brgy. East West Poblacion,

Pantabangan

Jct. Tablang-Gabaldon Road, Gabaldon

4. Nueva Ecija-Aurora Road, Calaanan Section, Bongabon Pampanga

1. Corner of Jose Abad Santos Avenue and San AntonioFloridablanca Road, K0079+800

2. San Antonio-Floridablanca Road, K0082+700

3. San Fernando-Lubao Road, K0085+1076 (PTT Gas Station)

4. Angeles - Porac - Floridablanca - Dinalupihan Road, K0101+050, Calantas Section

5. Angeles - Porac - Floridablanca - Dinalupihan Road, K0089+000, Mancatian Bridge Zambales

1. Olongapo-Bugallon Road, K0128+500, Parola, Kalaklan, Olongapo City

2. Olongapo-Bugallon Road, K0152+800, Central, San Marcelino, Zambales

Other heavy equipment were also on standby at the District Engineering Offices and the DPWH continued to monitor the situation.###

Post-Typhoon Clearing Operations

Aurora District Engineering Office

Bataan 1st District Engineering Office

Nueva Ecija 1st District Engineering Office

Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineering Office

Pampanga 3rd District Engineering Office

Tarlac 1st District Engineering Office

Zambales 1st District Engineering Office

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal

ATropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) is a plain text warning to particular land area that may experience winds of at least strong breeze in strength on the Beaufort Scale (i.e., 39 km/h, 22 kt or higher) within at most 36 hours from the time the signal is put into effect during the passage of a tropical cyclone. A particular wind signal has an equivalent expected wind threat, length of time (in hours) before onset of expected wind threat, and potential impacts to the locality. The current TCWS system uses five (5) levels of wind signals that are numbered from 1 to 5, with a higher signal number associated with higher general wind strength and shorter warning lead time.

The following must be taken into consideration when using the TCWS system:

• The TCWS is meant to warn the public of the threat of general wind strength associated with a tropical cyclone. Owing to the presence of natural and artificial obstructions such as local topography or nearby buildings, winds in a particular area (local winds) may be substantially stronger from the general wind strength over the provincial or sub-provincial locality implied by the wind signal. For instance, local winds are generally stronger over offshore water and on high ground (i.e., on mountainous areas) and are weaker in areas that are sheltered from the prevailing wind direction.

• A wind signal is usually hoisted at the level of a province, independent component city, or highly urbanized city (except for Metro Manila who is collectively placed under a single wind signal

level). However, if the meteorological situation requires, a wind signal can be issued at the level of a city or municipality.

• The extent and timing of hoisting of wind signals are based on the intensity, extent of strong winds or higher, and the forecast direction and speed of movement of the tropical cyclone at the time of issuance of a bulletin. As such, any change in intensity, extent of strong winds or higher, or movement of the tropical cyclone also determines the change in the wind signal over a given locality.

• Although the TCWS is a tiered system, the escalation or de-escalation of wind signals allows the skipping

of wind signal levels. For instance, Wind Signal #1 on a particular locality can be upgraded directly to Wind Signal #3 without passing Wind Signal #2. However, this is only observed if the issuance of an intermediate tropical cyclone bulletin is not sufficient to rapidly change the level of the hoisted wind signal over a locality.

The current TCWS system has been in use since 23 March 2022 based on the adoption of best practices from other tropical cyclone warning centers and regionally-accepted operational standards, developments in objective forecast guidance, operational experiences and challenges encountered by typhoon forecasters, and feedback from end-users and stakeholders.###

During

Usec. Carvajal inspects desilting works in Gabaldon

Public Works and Highways Undersecretary for Technical Services Maximo Carvajal together with Assistant Secretary Eric Ayapana and Bureau of Equipment Director Toribio Noel Ilao inspected the ongoing desilting of the Calabasa Section of the Dupinga River in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija.

The project that began in February this year is being implemented by the Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineering Office in coordination with the Bureau of Equipment through the Nueva Ecija Area Equipment Section.

Carvajal’s visit was made so that he could personally determine the efficiency of the newly procured heavy equipment used in the desilting works.

“We fully support the Department’s ongoing efforts in flood prevention through the implementation of programs such as river desilting activities. We are also working closely with BOE Director Ilao so that we can acquire the additional equipment required to improve the efficiency of our operations,” Carvajal said.

Carvajal also added that based on the accomplishment report provided by the Nueva Ecija Area Equipment Section, the desilting operations, particularly in sediment collection and transportation, became more efficient after the newly acquired articulated dump truck and Excavator DX 800 were deployed to the site.

The desilting operations in Nueva Ecija is just one of the

river dredging projects currently implemented by the BOE throughout Central Luzon.

Carvajal was accompanied by BOE Assistant Director Amador Andrada, Floating Equipment Division OIC-Chief Roquito Consolacion, Regional Equipment Management Division Chief Danilo Danganan, Assistant EMD Chief Francisco Licup Jr., District Engineer Elpidio Trinidad, Dredge Master III Marvin Liwanag, and Nueva Ecija Area Equipment Engineer Edwin Lopez.

The DPWH delegation was welcomed by LGU-Gabaldon officials headed by Mayor Jobby Emata and Vice Mayor Victorino Sabino.###

BOE deploys additional equipment for desilting projects in Nueva Ecija

Atotal of 19 employees from the Nueva Ecija Area Equipment Section underwent training for the operation of a Doosan DX800LC5B Crawler Excavator that will be used in the ongoing desilting of the Dupinga River in Nueva Ecija.

Prior to the deployment of the newly acquired equipment, a classroom and actual training on its operation and maintenance was held at the Nueva Ecija Area Equipment Section office and at the desilting site in Gabaldon.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Equipment Director Toribio Noel

Ilao ordered the release of an Amphibious Excavator that will be used in the proposed desilting of the Gen. Tinio Section of the Peñaranda River.

Nueva Ecija Area Engineer Edwin Lopez said that the request to desilt the 4.63-kilometer stretch of the said river in Brgy. Padolina and the 10.07-kilometer section in Brgy. Rio Chico was already made by the Local Government of Gen. Tinio as early as July 2021.

Thousands of residents are expected to benefit from the planned rehabilitation of river beds in the said barangays.

“We all know that increasing the depth of the river will create more space that will speed up the flow of water and reduce the risk of flooding in these areas,” Lopez said.

The DPWH continues to rehabilitate waterways not only in the province but also in other flood-prone towns in Central Luzon through the implementation of desilting projects that are expected to increase river discharge and reduce the incidence of flooding.###

Tolentino orders assessment of quake damage to infra in Central Luzon

Following the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that shook the provinces in Central Luzon on July 27, Public Works and Highways Region III Director Roseller Tolentino immediately ordered a damage assessment to determine the extent of its impact on infrastructure in all areas under his jurisdiction.

Tolentino said in a Viber message to the District Engineers that public safety must come first, hence the need to immediately assess the physical damage that may have been sustained by public structures and to thoroughly assess the structural integrity of the all bridges along major road networks in the region.

Regional Maintenance Engineer Rodolfo David reported no untoward incidents have been reported by the District Maintenance Engineers. He further confirmed that the DPWH District Offices conducted inspections of roads, bridges, other structures in their areas of responsibility.###

IN PHOTOS:

September 15, 2022 - Reorientation Seminar on Strategic Performance Management System (SPMS) for Regional and District Engineering Offices facilitated by Supervising Administrative Office.

Photo courtesy: Tarlac 1st District Public Affairs and Information Unit

The Department of Public Works and Highways in coordination with the Land Transportation Office and Philippine National Police conducted a one-day dry run on the operation of the Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineering Office’s Portable Weigh in Motion Equipment in Gapan City.

The activity supervised by the DPWH Regional Maintenance Division was conducted to determine the operational effectiveness of the agency’s Anti-Truck Overloading Mobile Operation (ATOME) Team in monitoring the passage of overloaded trucks along Daang Maharlika.

According to Region 3 Maintenance Division Chief Rodolfo David, anti-truck overloading operations need to be reactivated and fully implemented as it has been observed that overloaded trucks cause damage to pavement structures.

“Our road pavements are designed based on the legal load limit of vehicles passing through

our national road networks such as McArthur Highway, Jose Abad Santos Avenue and Daang Maharlika and the overloading problem is causing major damage to road networks and resulting in high maintenance and repair costs,” David explained.

DPWH operates permanent weighbridge stations in Bulacan, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija that are strategically located along major roads in the region.

David added that the activity was also an opportunity for them to identify ways on how to optimize the efficiency of the ATOME Team in implementing the anti-overloading policy contained in the provisions of Republic Act 8794.

Based on the June 2022 Summary of Overloaded Trucks by Route Report of Nueva Ecija ATOME Station, 1,562 overloaded trucks coming from Isabela were monitored while 656 were from Nueva Ecija, 306 from Tarlac, and 154 from Cagayan.

Meanwhile, District Engineer Elpidio Trinidad emphasized that

the dry run of the anti-overloading campaign conducted together with other concerned agencies is very important to iron out any possible difficulties that may be experienced when fully implemented.

“This joint operation will help us better serve our stakeholders as we will be able to maintain safe road conditions and reduce accidents caused by poor road quality,” Trinidad said.

During the test run, LTO personnel apprehended 9 overloaded trucks and issued temporary operator’s permits to the drivers.

Police presence during operations is necessary to ensure the security and safety of the enforcement team.

In May of this year, the DPWH Bureau of Quality and Safety reported that of the 401,785 trucks weighed by 38 truck weighing stations in 2021, a total of 137,029 or 34.11 percent were apprehended due to overloading which is 6.96 percent higher compared to 2020.###

DPWH, LTO, PNP, conduct 1-day dry run of anti-overloading operations in Nueva Ecija

PROJECT sPOTlighT

Widening of San Francisco Bridge along Concepcion-Capas Road, Tarlac

PROJECT sPOTlighT

Construction of Hanging Bridge, Brgy. Minuli, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija

BFP R3 Guagua recognizes Pampanga 2nd DEO’s support to meet infra-related needs

The Department of Public Works and HighwaysPampanga 2nd District Engineering Office was recognized by the Bureau of Fire ProtectionGuagua Fire Station for assisting in the improvement of their facility.

SINSP Dennis M. Mamawan, Guagua Municipal Fire Marshal emphasized that the DPWH through its local office in Guagua provides them with “invaluable support” in meeting their infrastructure-related needs.

In receiving the Certificate of Appreciation, District Engineer Gregorio Audea, Jr. said, “It is heartening that the Guagua Fire Station has recognized our office as their partner in achieving excellence in public service. This award will also remind and inspire us to fulfill our duties to serve the Filipino people to the best of our ability.”

Mamawan added that Audea’s assistance was sought for the

improvement of the fire station’s driveway located along Jose Abad Santos Avenue that now allows them to provide a faster fire response to protect more lives and property.

This is a testament to DPWH’s dedication in building synergism with other government agencies and in extending their support to meet their needs, Mamawan concluded.###

DPWH-BOE provides 4 units of heavy equipment for CLLEX maintenance

The Department of Public Works and Highways –Bureau of Equipment (BOE) has delivered one unit each of a single drum vibratory roller, a Doosan DX80R crawler type hydraulic excavator, a water tank truck, and a Schwarze GS6 Street Sweeper that will be deployed and used for maintenance of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLLEX).

According to Nueva Ecija Area Equipment Engineer Edwin Lopez,

4 basic highway maintenance equipment are now deployed in the motor pool of the Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineering Office in Cabanatuan City and are ready to be used at any time.

Meanwhile, Region III Equipment Management Division Assistant Chief Francisco Licup, Jr. said that BOE-issued BHMEs will be of great help in ensuring the safety of motorists traveling along the open portions of CLLEX, particularly

from La Paz in Tarlac to Aliaga in Nueva Ecija.

“We will be deploying these BHMEs to support the District Engineering Offices that maintain the opened portions of the expressway. We need to ensure the cleanliness of the carriageway and remove overgrown vegetation to give motorists a smooth and worry-free travel on CLLEX,” Licup said.###

DPWH Nueva Ecija 1st DEO now maintains Zaragoza Section of CLLEX

The Department of Public Works and HighwaysNueva Ecija 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) has started maintaining the Santa Lucia Old (Zaragoza) Section of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) to ensure the safety of motorists.

District Engineer Armando Z. Manabat said that the District Office’s Maintenance Section is now directly responsible for the

efficient and timely maintenance of a portion of the expressway, particularly from Station 7+700 to Station 10+500.

“We need to preserve the road in its original condition and at the same time provide the public with efficient and convenient travel along this route,” Manabat said.

Manabat also added that they have requested the funds needed for the maintenance activities

programmed to be carried out on the said road.

The local DPWH office has begun deploying roadside workers to perform routine maintenance activities even though the budget required to keep road users safe has not yet been allocated.###

DPWH improves section of BTPI road in Morong

To provide ecozone locators better access to the Bataan Technological Park, Inc. (BTPI), the Department of Public Works and Highways implemented an asphalt overlay project along the 861.66-lineal meter section of BTPI Road in Morong.

Bataan 1st District Engineer Erlindo Flores, Jr. said their office is committed on repairing defects and damage to the pavement

on the road networks leading to the tourism and industrial zones of the province.

Flores added that poor and uneven road surfaces can cause accidents and damage to vehicles, thus they ensure that all major and high-volume roads within their

area of responsibility are properly maintained.###

Rep. Bondoc meets DPWH officials, discuss major infra development in Pampanga 4th LD

Officers of the Department of Public Works and Highways and Representative Dra. Anna York Bondoc met to discuss the planning and implementation of major infrastructure development projects in the 4th legislative district of Pampanga.

The meeting coincided with Bondoc’s visit to the Pampanga 1st District Engineering Office where she was welcomed by District Engineer Almer Miranda and OIC-Assistant District Engineer Alfie Lejarde.

Among Bondoc’s main concerns is the current state of the Apalit Section of Manila North Road which is already causing inconvenience to both motorists and commuters.

Miranda explained that the performance of road pavements is greatly reduced by heavy vehicles that overload, and it has been determined that it contributed to the deterioration of the road network’s Apalit Section and added that the rehabilitation of the entire stretch of MNR has been submitted for immediate funding.

Other road sections identified as heavily damaged and in need of immediate rehabilitation are Candaba-San Miguel Road, Tulaoc-Sto. Domingo Road, and San Gabriel Section of ApalitMacabebe - Masantol Road.

Meanwhile, Bondoc proposed to convert more local roads into national roads particularly those used daily by the motoring public, and strengthen the convergence

strategy in implementing infrastructure development projects such as the construction of new bypass roads that will help improve mobility and transportation connectivity in the province.

Bondoc also requested that the planned improvement of the Arayat-Apalit Setback Levee from asphalt overlay to Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) be included in the proposed FY 2023 DPWH Infrastructure Program.

Miranda assured Bondoc that the DPWH will continue to pursue the implementation of major infrastructure projects in Apalit, Candaba, Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin, San Luis, San Simon and Santo Tomas.###

DPWH upgrades San Miguel District Hospital in Bulacan

Public Works and Highways Bulacan 2nd District Engineer George Santos announced that the second phase of San Miguel District Hospital’s upgrading is currently underway.

Santos said the redevelopment of the hospital is an initiative of Bulacan 3rd District Representative Lorna Silverio and is expected to have significant benefits for the patients of the said facility and will also enable efficient delivery of healthcare to San Miguel residents.

“The expansion and improvement of San Miguel District

Hospital began in November 2020 and the 2-phase project was implemented to provide the town of San Miguel with a more contemporary facility for improved health service delivery,” Santos explained.

The San Miguel District Hospital which sits on an 11,867-square meter property is located along Daang Maharlika in Barangay Old Sta. Rita and is one of the eight district hospitals managed by the Provincial Government of Bulacan.

It also serves as a dialysis center for the entire 3rd district of Bulacan.

“Once the hospital redevelopment is completed, fewer patients will have to travel to nearby municipalities for medical care and it will be easier for them to be cared for by their loved ones during treatment,” Santos remarked.

A total of P92.5 million has been allocated under the 2020 and 2022 national budgets for the continuous improvement of San Miguel District Hospital.###

DPWH to build sanitation infrastructure in San Luis, Aurora

Aurora District Engineer Roderick Andal in a statement said the sanitation infrastructure that includes an administrative building,

guard house, public restrooms, and a sanitary land fill capable of holding 14,190.44 cubic meters of solid waste were designed to support the town’s environmental protection programs and projects.

Key officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and Aurora local executives led the ceremonial groundbreaking for the construction of multipurpose facilities within the area of a

proposed Category 1 Sanitary Land Fill in the Municipality of San Luis.

“DPWH supports environmentally sound projects like this and it is a known fact that unsustainable managed waste can cause serious health, safety, and environmental consequences. But with the necessary infrastructure, San Luis residents can now be assured that the local government

can better and effectively implement its solid waste management program,” Andal explained.

With a total project cost of P28.5 million sourced in the 2022 national budget, the sanitation facilities to be built in Sitio Ibayo, Brgy. L. Pimentel in San Luis are expected

to be completed by the end of this year.

Also present at the activity were Aurora Lone Representative Rommel Rico Angara, San Luis Mayor Ariel De Jesus, Vice Mayor Christopher Marzan, and Barangay Captain Eladio Amatorio.###

DPWH continues improvement of access road to Pinsal Falls in Lupao, NE

Namulandayan is becoming more accessible to local tourists after the Department of Public Works and Highways began constructing an access road leading to what is considered a hidden treasure of Lupao in Nueva Ecija.

According to Nueva Ecija 1st District Engineer Armando Z. Manabat, the said place of interest is now being developed by the Lupao Local Government to boost its tourism industry.

“This is the main reason why the DPWH prioritizes the construction of infrastructure facilities that will help create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and support

the development not only of Lupao but also of the entire province,” Manabat explained.

The District Engineer added that the construction of the tourism access road started in 2017 and the improvement of its 1.234lane kilometer section is being undertaken to provide tourists a more convenient and safe travel experience.

“It is very important to provide infrastructure support to our tourism sector, especially now that the industry is recovering after being hit hard by the pandemic,” Manabat said.

Local farmers who regularly transport crops and other

agricultural produce such as rice, corn and onions are also expected to benefit from the P9.6-million access road project.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Marita Collado, a member of the Pinsal Falls Cottage Owners and Farmers Association, she said that the developed road network has brought ease of travel to tourists, thus, giving their community better livelihood opportunities.

According to DE Manabat, there are still unpaved sections on the said access road, thus in order to complete its development, they recommended for its inclusion in the Proposed FY 2023 DPWH Annual Infrastructure Program (AIP).###

The Pinsal Falls Ecotourism Park in Barangay

DPWH assists in the repair of typhoon-damaged local bridge in Gabaldon

The Department of Public Works and Highways immediately deployed heavy construction equipment to expedite the restoration of the approaches of the Bugnan Overflow Bridge in Gabaldon that were damaged by Super Typhoon Karding.

According to Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineer Elpidio Trinidad, they offered their heavy equipment to the local government after the office’s survey team that conducted a post-calamity assessment observed that the approaches of the lone bridge that connects barangays Bugnan and Bagong Sikat were eroded.

“Based on their initial assessment, around 70 meters of the approach on the Bugnan side was scoured while approximately

30 meters of the embankment at the other side of the overflow bridge was damaged,” Trinidad said.

Meanwhile, OIC-Assistant District Engineer Robert Jay Panaligan who personally supervised the conduct of the preliminary onsite evaluation of the damages caused by the recent typhoon saw for himself the urgent need to restore the overflow bridge approaches.

“The Pampanga River separates Barangay Bugnan from its neighboring villages and the overflow bridge is the only access that residents can use. To ensure their safety while crossing the structure that often becomes impassable when the river rises due to heavy rainfall, we recommended to DE Trinidad the deployment of

our heavy equipment to fast-track all restoration efforts,” Panaligan explained.

The local DPWH office also received a letter from the Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija dated September 30 requesting assistance for the restoration of the said bridge.

Trinidad likewise sought the assistance of the Bureau of Equipment through the Nueva Ecija Area Equipment Section headed by Area Engineer Edwin Lopez for additional manpower and equipment to hasten the rehabilitation of the damaged approaches.

The Nueva Ecija Area Equipment Section has mobilized 2 units each of dump trucks and excavators.###

DPWH Bataan 1st DEO completes structural integrity check

District Engineer Erlindo Flores, Jr. assured the safety of students and school personnel after the Bataan 1st District Engineering Office completed the structural integrity assessment of the various school buildings under its jurisdiction.

“After the July 27 earthquake, we immediately mobilized the office’s Earthquake Disaster Assessment Team to check the structural integrity of school buildings and determine if these structures have suffered any damage that could compromise the safety of its users,” Flores said.

Flores added that in coordination with the Department of Education, a total of 46 school buildings were inspected and all were determined to be structurally sound.###

DE Ramos inspects ongoing projects in Capas, Tarlac

Public Works and Highways District Engineer Edward Ricardo G. Ramos inspected multiple ongoing projects implemented by the Tarlac 2nd District Engineering Office in the Municipality of Capas.

Accompanied by Chief Construction Engineer Edwin R. David and his technical team, Ramos personally checked the progress of the flood control projects implemented along the O’Donnel River and the Bangot River, all in Barangay Sta Lucia, this town.

“Tarlac’s 3rd district is surrounded by major rivers and it is our mandate to protect residents from the adverse effects of flooding through engineering interventions

such as the construction of flood mitigation structures,” Ramos explained.

Ramos also mentioned that the implementation of these projects is part of the District Office’s program that aims to help prevent flood damage in urban and agricultural communities within the district.

The three flood control projects are implemented under the Department’s Regular Infrastructure Program and are funded in the 2022 national budget.###

Girder-launching starts for Cutcut flyover - DPWH

As part of the ongoing construction of the third phase of the Cutcut Flyover in Angeles City, the Department of Public Works and Highways Pampanga 3rd District Engineering Office began the launching of concrete girders placed on top of the bridge piers erected on the portion of Fil-Am Friendship Highway near Holy Family Academy on August 7, 2022.

District Engineer Arleen Beltran said the temporary closure of road sections was properly coordinated with the local government of Angeles City and Porac to allow the launching and installation of concrete girders for the Cutcut Flyover project.

“On August 14, we will once again close the area to vehicular traffic to make way for the continuation of the launching of concrete girders but this time,

no vehicles will be able to pass through the main intersection of Angeles-Porac-FloridablancaDinalupihan Road and the Fil-Am Friendship Highway starting at 5 AM,” Beltran explained.

Beltran also said another road closure, this time on the portion of the Fil-Am Friendship Highway leading to Clark will be implemented on August 28.

“The road closure is expected to cause heavy traffic in this area so the public is advised to plan their travel ahead of time. Traffic advisories are posted at strategic locations to guide motorists of alternative routes and to prevent any travel inconveniences,” Beltran remarked.

The construction of the 4-lane, 700-meter Cutcut Flyover including approaches consists of six phases

with a total project cost of P600 million.

In 2021, the DPWH completed the first two phases of the project and with the release of P100 million under the 2022 national budget, the implementation of its third phase is now in full swing.

A P100 million augmentation fund was requested to ensure the project’s continuity while the remaining P300-million budget for its last three phases has already been submitted for funding.

Once completed, the travel time from Barangay Telabastagan, City of San Fernando to Clark, Pampanga via Friendship Highway will be reduced by at least 30 minutes. Motorists coming from Angeles City to Porac and vice versa are also expected to benefit from the project.###

DPWH improves access to tourism sites in Orani

Better access to the tourism destinations of Barangay Tala in the Municipality of Orani was made possible by the Department of Public Works and Highways-Bataan 1st District Engineering Office with the completion of a road improvement project.

The P14.6 million project includes the paving of a 350-linear meter section of the Mulawin-Tala Road and the concreting of road shoulders with a total length of 2,659 linear meters.

Tourists and residents traveling to see the green mountains of Tala can benefit from the improved road in terms of safety as emergency lanes are now provided for vehicles that may need to be repaired unexpectedly.

“Concrete highway shoulders can also provide a safe place for bikers,” Flores added.

Apart from improving traffic safety, the completed project is also seen to boost economic activities and provide more livelihood

opportunities for Tala residents as an influx of tourists is expected with the improvement of the said road leading to Bataan National Park.

DPWH Bataan 1st District Engineering Office is committed to the continuous improvement of various roads in their jurisdiction to make tourism destinations in Orani more accessible which in turn stimulates economic activity.###

DPWH checks integrity of 10 bridges in Nueva Ecija’s 2 towns, 3 cities

District Engineer Elpidio Trinidad and OICAssistant District Engineer Robert Jay Panaligan of the Department of Public Works and Highways – Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineering Office inspected the condition of ten bridges located along major roads within their area of responsibility.

“These bridges that provide inter-town connectivity may still be considered functional but are in fact structurally deficient but this does not mean that the bridge can collapse or become unsafe for motorists. Remember that most of the bridges were built decades ago so it is necessary to determine which of these structures will require extensive repair and rehabilitation to restore them to their full operational capacity and extend their service life,” Trinidad explained.

Trinidad and Panaligan checked the progress of the ongoing repair and maintenance works on San Juan Bridge 3 and Bato Ferry Bridge in Laur; Sta Rosa Bridge in Sta. Rosa; and the widening of the Cabu Bridge detour in Cabanatuan City.

The structural integrity of the Baluarte Bridge 1 & 2, Cababao Bridge, Doña Josefa Bridge and

Malimba Bridge in Gapan City, as well as the Tablang Bridge in Palayan City were also assessed.

Meanwhile, Panaligan said they will continue to conduct load capacity evaluations on existing bridges along national roads to determine if the bridge load ratings are up to date based on their current condition.###

Quarterly dialogue of

administrative officers, conducted

Remedios Q. Laurel, Chief of the DPWH Region III Human Resource and Administrative Division led the Quarterly Dialogue of Administrative Officers on September 23, 2022 held at the

Conference Hall of the Aurora District Engineering Office in Baler, Aurora.

During the meeting, former Human Resource Management Section Chief Teresita Lazaro and

retired Nueva Ecija 2nd Human Resource and Administrative Section Chief Cora Sunido were recognized for their years of dedicated service in the Department.###

ROWALD: Primarily responsible for managing the legal affairs of the office

The Right-of-Way Acquisition and Legal Division (ROWALD) headed by Atty. Ignacio F. Evangelista ensures that the actions of the DPWH Regional Office III in relation to the implementation of infrastructure projects are legal and comply with the provisions of existing laws.

The Regional Office’s Legal Team is ably supported by administrative and paralegal personnel in reviewing procurement contracts and agreements, office policies, and handling court cases – thus preventing legal issues from arising.

It provides legal advice and interprets rules affecting the office’s operations, and handles all legal matters involving the enactment of Republic Act No. 10752 or the “Right-of-Way Act.”###

Stakeholders meeting in Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan and meeting with property owners affected by the road widening project in Sta. Maria, Norzagaray, Bulacan

Meeting with property owners affected by the construction of a bridge along Daang Maharlika in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

Meeting with property owners affected by the construction of the bypass road project in Bocaue and Sta. Maria, Bulacan

Meeting with property owners affected by Lubao-GuaguaMinalin-Sto. Tomas Road Project in Pampanga

regional news

Truck operators urged to comply 33-ton load limit

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has urged truck operators to follow the 33-metric ton load limit regardless of the truck axle configuration.

Heavy trucks passing through the Ilog Bakod Bridge in San Miguel in Bulacan province were reminded by the agency to adhere to the restriction.

DPWH issued the statement after receiving complaints that trucks loaded with construction materials are prohibited from passing through the bridge even though the load requirement has been met.

The damaged pavements of the said structure require immediate restoration and the DPWH Bulacan 2nd District Engineering has been undertaking bridge rehabilitation works since Aug. 5 with the Local Government of San Miguel and the San Miguel Municipal Police Station managing the traffic.

The agency said overloaded trucks coming from the Cagayan Valley Region are not aware of the new load restriction. This contributed to traffic jams in San Miguel, according to the agency.

DPWH officials said the load limit was imposed to ensure that the bridge would not suffer further damage while the rehabilitation is underway.

The Ilog Bakod Bridge in Bulacan and Apalit Section of the Manila North Road in Pampanga were seriously damaged by the passage of overloaded trucks.

Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda implemented a moratorium on quarrying in the province.

He also banned overloaded trucks and urged national government agencies to intensify enforcement of the AntiOverloading Act to protect roads and bridges in the province.

North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation also intensified the implementation of the anti-overloading policy due to the ongoing renovation of the southbound lane of Candaba Viaduct.

Heavy vehicles with more than 33 tons of load are diverted to in Daang Maharlika and Manila North Road.

The DPWH Regional Office III is scheduled to meet with local officials from the City of Gapan in Nueva Ecija to request their cooperation in barring the entry of overloaded trucks headed to San Miguel.

The repair of the Ilog Bakod Bridge is expected to be completed by the end of September this year.###

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Anti-overloading law enforced across Central Luzon

The Department of Public Works and Highways is now strictly enforcing the Anti-Overloading Law in the region.

This, after recent findings that overloaded trucks cause the fast deterioration of major thoroughfares across Central Luzon.

DPWH Regional Director Roseller Tolentino said they are now partnering with local government

units and other concerned national government agencies for the enforcement of the required weight limit.

Republic Act 8794 sets the allowable maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) for trucks passing through the national roads and bridges.

The provincial government of Pampanga headed by Governor Dennis Pineda was the first to

lead the implementation of the measure on August 2.

Pineda set a moratorium on quarrying in the province and banned overloaded trucks in the province.

The governor also urged quarry operators and truckers to abide by the law by limiting their weight load.

The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) is also enforcing the anti-overloading policy due to the ongoing rehabilitation of the Candaba Viaduct.

This resulted to the diversion of heavy vehicles to Daang Maharlika and Manila North Road.

Trucks passing the NLEX must first secure clearance from the tollway’s weighing team as authorities still enforce the 33-metric ton load limit at the expressway.

Pineda and the DPWH advised all truckers including those coming from Northern Luzon to comply with the weight limit imposed to avoid inconvenience.###

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Secretary Bonoan leads oath taking of new DPWH officials

DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan administers on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 the oath of office of newly-appointed/reappointed DPWH Officials. Among those who took their oath were: Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain; Undersecretary for Specials Concerns and Chief of Staff of the Office of the Secretary Carlos G. Mutuc; Public-Private Partnership Service Director Alex G. Bote; Information Management Service Director Rhalf B. Cawaling; Finance Service Director Genevieve E. Cuaresma;

Bureau of Equipment Director Toribio Noel L. Ilao; Stakeholders Relations Service Director Randy R. del Rosario; Region 3 Director Roseller A. Tolentino; Region 10 Director Zenaida T. Tan; Region 11 Director Rey Peter B. Gille; Region 12 Director Basir M. Ibrahim; Bureau of Research and Standards Assistant Director Reynaldo P. Faustino; Bureau of Equipment Director Amador A. Andrada; Bureau of Design Assistant Danilo L. Balisi; National Capital Region Assistant Director Juby B. Cordon; Cordillera Administrative Region Assistant Director Reynaldo

C. Alconcel; Region 1 Assistant Director Emmanuel W. Diaz; Region 3 Assistant Director Denise Maria M. Ayag; Region 5 Assistant Director Marilou N. Lacuna; Region 6 Assistant Director Jose Al V. Fruto; Region 8 Assistant Director David P. Adongay Jr.; Region 9 Assistant Director Soray’yah M. Ibrahim; and Region 10 Assistant Director Lilibeth N. Aparecio.###

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Photo courtesy of: DPWH official FB page

DPWH bags top award from CSC ‘Contact Center ng Bayan’

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was recognized as the top government agency during the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC’s) Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB) 10th Year Anniversary Virtual Summit held on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.

‘Contact Center ng Bayan’, since it was established in 2012, is among the complaint mechanism being managed by the DPWH Stakeholders Relations Service.

In the virtual summit with the theme CCB: Isang Dekada ng Paglilingkod, the CSC honors the top government agencies with DPWH emerging as the Top 1 in terms of resolution rate for complaints for the past decade.

Other CSC awardees are Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Franchising and Requlatory Board, Local Water Utilities Administration, and Bureau of Customs.

CCB was anchored on Republic Act No. 9485, also known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007. Republic Act No. 11032 (RA 11032) or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 also requires the inclusion of the CCB as part of the complaints mechanism in the Citizen’s Charter of every government agency.

The CCB’s report on complaints resolution rate is now one of the validation criteria for the grant of the annual Performance Based Bonus from FY2021 onwards, in accordance with the Inter-Agency

Task Force on the Harmonization of National Government Performance Monitoring, Information, and Reporting Systems (IATF AO25) Memorandum Circular No. 2021-1.

The CSC event is part of the activities lined up for the celebration of the 122nd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.###

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national news

CLLEX supporting agricultural productivity 96% completed

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is inching closer to delivering the entire 30-kilometer Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Project which is 96 percent overall complete to date.

In his report to Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain said that the first 18 kilometers of CLLEX from Tarlac Interchange at the connection of Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) in Balingcanaway, Tarlac City to Guimba-Aliaga Road in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija will be extended with additional 11 kilometers by March 2023 to include seven (7) kilometers up to San Juan Interchange and four (4) kilometers to Umangan-Julo Road at the boundary of Aliaga and Cabanatuan City before Felix Vergara Road and Daang Maharlika Highway.

Undersecretary Sadain with DPWH UPMO-Roads Management Cluster 1 Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista inspected on Friday, July 22, 2022 the continuing works for the construction of four (4) lane expressway including interchanges, overpasses and underpasses from Aliaga Section to Cabanatuan Section whose progress were stalled in the past due to unworkable portions with problem in the acquisition of road right of way.

CLLEX is part of the Luzon Spine Expressway Network which is aimed at reducing travel time from

the northernmost part of Luzon, Ilocos, to the southernmost part, Bicol.

Other than cutting travel time between Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, the partial opening in 2021 of CLLEX provided options to motorists and spread out traffic better resulting

an important east-west link for the expressway network of Luzon to ensure a continuous seamless traffic flow for the motoring public from Metro Manila and vice versa passing thru North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), SCTEX, and TPLEX.

to reduce transportion costs, benefitting farmers of Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley Regions.

“The CLLEX Project will support the country’s new vision for improving agricultural productivity under the administration of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. Using this toll-free high standard highway, palay crops and other products from Nueva Ecija - the Philippines’ rice granary, including those coming from Region 2 can reach the market centers in Metro Manila much faster and cheaper”, added Undersecretary Sadain.

Essentially an extension of the SCTEX and TPLEX, CLLEX will form

Once fully operational, the ₱11.811-Billion expressway is expected to shorten the usual travel time of 70 minutes between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City to just 20 minutes.

With funding assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the expressway will also facilitate better access to economic hub and areas of employment in Region 3 such as Clark and Subic.###

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Photo courtesy of: Journal Online

DPWH working on proposal to address C. Luzon flooding

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is developing a proposal for the construction of a structure to curb flooding in major areas in Central Luzon, Public Works Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said.

Sadain explained that the project components of the proposed flood control plan—with a design consideration of 100-year flood return period—will capture the entire flood mitigation for Central Luzon from Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Bulacan.

Situated in Central Luzon, the Pampanga River Basin from the mouth of Manila Bay traverses the provinces of Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. Other major river networks connected to Pampanga River Basin: are Talavera; Rio Chico; Pantabangan; Colonel; Peñaranda; Sacobia; San Miguel; and, Angat.

Sadain added that the agency has tapped planning and engineering consulting firm Woodfields Consultants Inc. to formulate an “effective and efficient” plan for the Pampanga River Basin in Central Luzon, one of the areas most frequently affected by flooding.

Woodfields Consultants is tasked to “come up with one whole plan for the Central LuzonPampanga River Floodway Flood Control Project with a retarding swamp in the San Antonio swamp and the Pampanga Delta Development Program Phase 2,” Sadain further said.

Engineering interventions such as widening of river channels and construction of viaduct, dikes, revetment works, cut-off channel, control weirs, floodgates and sluicegates are proposed

to mitigate and prevent flood damages brought about by the incursion of river waters to communities.

The agency has yet to finalize the funding scheme for the implementation of the project. However, Sadain said the DPWH is considering the offer of the Korea Eximbank.###

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Photo courtesy of: DPWH Official FB page

Photo courtesy of: DPWH Official FB

Marcos proposes record P5.3-T budget

The Marcos administration proposed to increase the allocations for education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure under the P5.268trillion national budget for 2023, while lowering allotments for other priority sectors such as social protection.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) submitted to Congress on Monday the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for fiscal year 2023, which is the first full-year budget proposed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

The P5.268-trillion budget is 4.9% higher than this year’s budget, and equivalent to 22.2% of gross domestic product (GDP).

“This budget reflects the Agenda for Prosperity: economic transformation towards inclusivity and sustainability. As first budgets go, this proposed budget for next fiscal year represents a 75.5% growth from the P3.002-trillion budget in 2016,” Mr. Marcos said in his budget message.

Colleges (SUC), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The proposed DepEd budget is at P710.66 billion, up by 19.9% from the previous year. It is the second-highest budget among departments, following the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“With the DepEd’s allocation, we hope to finally resume faceto-face classes to ensure holistic learning,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said on Monday.

According to the DBM, P54.9 billion will go to education assistance and subsidies, while P47.4 billion will be earmarked for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Program.

Meanwhile, allocations for flexible learning options and basic education facilities were accorded P19.4 billion and P9.8 billion, respectively.

Agrarian Reform will receive P15.85 billion, 58% higher than this year’s allocation.

Under the administration’s food security initiative, the National Rice Program will receive P30.5 billion. Irrigation services, as well as the construction and development of farm-to-market roads, will be given P29.5 billion and 13.1 billion, respectively.

“This is in line with the President’s directive that top priority must be given to the agriculture sector so as to invigorate and transform this sector from being an economic laggard to one of the main drivers for growth and employment,” DBM said in a statement, citing an anticipated global food crisis.

The health sector will see a 10.4% rise in next year’s budget to P296.3 billion. The Department of Health (DoH) will see 6.6% increase to P196.08 billion, while the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. will get a P100.23-billion budget.

“The Universal Health Care program will continuously be a budget priority to ensure accessible healthcare for Filipinos, especially those in the lower stratum of society,” Ms. Pangandaman said.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Under next year’s proposed budget, infrastructure spending is set at P1.196 trillion, 1.54% up from P1.178 trillion in the 2022 program.

The DPWH received the biggest budget among departments with P718.36 billion, but this is 8.6% lower than this year’s allocation.

The education sector, as mandated by the Constitution, received the biggest budget at P852.8 billion, an 8.2% increase from this year’s P788.5-billion allocation. This includes the funds allotted for the Department of Education (DepEd), State Universities and

Ms. Pangandaman said the proposed budget of the agriculture sector stood at P184.1 billion, 39% up from P132.2 billion this year. Broken down, the Department of Agriculture will get a P102.16billion budget, up 49% from a year ago, while the Department of

On the other hand, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) saw a 122% increase in next year’s budget to P167.12 billion. This covers the augmented funding requirements for various foreignassisted railway projects, according to the DBM.

“President Marcos earlier said that this administration

shall continue to implement infrastructure projects and refocus to ‘Build, Better, More.’ These projects — subway, regional airports, railways and farmto-market roads — will surely benefit the Filipino people,” Ms. Pangandaman said.

Under the infrastructure program, P140.4 billion will be allotted for the Network Development Program, P88.5 billion for the Asset Preservation Program, and P38 billion for the Bridge program.

This also includes funding for priority projects such as the North-South Commuter Railway, the Metro Manila Subway Phase 1, the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) Cavite Extension, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) rehabilitation program, the Land Public Transportation program, the EDSA Busway project, the EDSA Greenways project, the Cebu BRT project, as well as the fuel subsidy program for public transport drivers.

Zyza Nadine Suzara, a public finance expert and executive director of I-Lead, said there needs to be a closer look into which departments received the “avalanche in funding”.

“The avalanche in funding will give us an indication of what the real priorities of the administration [are], and what the succeeding budgets of the Marcos administration will look like,” she said.

The Marcos administration earlier said it will allocate 5-6% of gross domestic product (GDP) annually for infrastructure.

BIGGER BUDGET

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had the third highest budget with P253.05 billion, 1.4% higher than this year’s allocation.

In its efforts to help local governments, the administration

proposed to allocate P28.9 billion for the Local Government Support Fund, composed of P13.9 billion for the Growth Equity Fund and P10 billion to support the Barangay Development Program of the National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC).

“Apart from National Government programs, funding support for local government units appears to be a priority for the administration,” Ms. Suzara said.

However, “the P10-billion proposed budget for the controversial NTF-ELCAC sticks out like a sore thumb in the 2023 National Expenditure program. This should likewise be watched closely,” she added.

The Department of National Defense will see a 9.2% increase in its budget to P240.7 billion.

However, the allocations for the Department of Social Welfare and Development slipped 3.8% to P197.03 billion next year.

This contains P115.6 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps); P25.3 billion for the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens; P19.9 billion for Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances; and P4.4 billion for the Sustainable Livelihood program.

The budget for the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) declined 48.3% to P26.23 billion next year.

Most of the DoLE’s proposed budget is for its Livelihood and Emergency Employment program, earmarked for P18.4 billion. This includes the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) with P14.9 billion and the DoLE Integrated Livelihood Program with P2.5 billion.

“At the national level, the 2023 National Expenditure Plan seems

to contain a lot of the old existing programs of various departments and agencies. Based on the press conference, there are incremental adjustments in funding levels like the 4Ps program and those meant to support education, social services and public health. The public should scrutinize these allocations,” Ms. Suzara said.

Most of next year’s proposed budget will still go to social services at P2.071 trillion (39.31%) and economic services at P1.528 trillion (29.01%).

The rest of the proposed budget is allocated to general public services at P807.2 billion (15.32%); debt burden, including net lending, at P611 billion (11.59%); and defense at P250.7 billion (4.76%).

The revenue program for 2023 is at P3.63 trillion or equivalent to 15.3% of GDP. The rest of the proposed budget will be sourced from other nontax revenues, privatization, and deficit financing through debt.

The administration’s goal is to achieve 6.5-8% GDP growth next year until 2028, as well as reduce the poverty rate to a single digit by the end of its term.

CLOSE COORDINATION

“We look forward to a close coordination with [the] House of Representatives and the Senate. We expect that the budget will be forwarded to Malacañang by [the] first or second week of December,” Ms. Pangandaman said.

Leaders of the House of Representatives promised to finish the committee and plenary deliberations on the budget by Oct. 1, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said.

Congress is scheduled to go on its first recess on Oct. 1. Session will resume on Nov. 7.

“We will make sure that every centavo will be spent wisely to implement programs that would save lives, protect communities

and make our economy strong and more agile,” Mr. Romualdez said during the submission of the NEP for fiscal year 2023 on Monday.

Marikina Rep. Stella A. Quimbo, senior vice-chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, said hearings with start on Aug. 26 with the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).

“(The budget hearings) will run all the way down to Sept. 16, and then by Sept. 21, we should be ready for plenary debates,” Ms. Quimbo said.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman and AKOBICOL Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co said pre-budget deliberations started last week so departments can address parochial concerns of lawmakers.

“Next year we plan to have it earlier, (We will) start around February and March to coordinate before the (NEP) is submitted to Congress,” Mr. Co said. “We want everyone in the Congress to be actively collaborating.”

Minority leader and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Partlist Rep. Marcelino C. Libanan said that the minority will do its part in scrutinizing the budget during the plenary sessions.

“We will show the side of the minority, the voice of the people, but we will not be obstructionist but rather we’ll be a constructive minority because we are only one house,” Mr. Libanan said. — with Matthew Carl L. Montecillo.###

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“This budget reflects the Agenda for Prosperity: economic transformation towards inclusivity and sustainability. As first budgets go, this proposed budget for next fiscal year represents a 75.5% growth from the P3.002-trillion budget in 2016,”

- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

AURORA

Construction of 2-storey 6-Classroom Building, Dingalan Central School, Brgy. Poblacion, Dingalan Aurora

Construction of Seawall, Brgy. Diagyan, Dilasag, Aurora

Construction of Multipurpose Building, Brgy. Cabitculan East, Maria Aurora , Aurora

Construction of Road, Brgy. 04, Maria Aurora, Aurora Construction of Road, Brgy. Debucao, Maria Aurora, Aurora

Construction of

Road in

San

of Farm-To-Market

in Brgy.

Asphalt Overlay along

and Hermosa Sections of Roman Expressway in Bataan

Construction of

in

Construction of Flood Control Structure along Talavera River, Brgy. Sibut, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija

Construction of Mutlipurpose Building in Brgy. Sta. Ines, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija

Construction of Multipurpose Building in Brgy. Maugat, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija

Construction of Road, Brgy. Pakul, Jaen, Nueva Ecija

Construction of Flood Mitigation Structures, Brgy. Bugnan, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija

Construction of Hanging Bridge, Brgy. Minuli, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija

PAMPANGA

Construction of Road with lined canal in Brgy. Manibaug, Porac, Pampanga

Construction of Road in San Matias, Lubao, Pampanga

Rehabilitation of Sapang Are Creek, Apalit, Pampanga

Upgrading of Sto. Tomas Section of Manila North Road

Rehabilitation of Baliwag-Candaba-Sta. Ana Road

of

Construction of Flood Control along Camiling River, Brgy. Bilad Section, Camiling, Tarlac

Asphalt Overlay along Tarlac-Zambales Road, Capas, Tarlac

of

in

of Aguic-Uic Road, San Marcelino, Zambales

PCW condemns online content that promotes sexual harassment, child abuse and exploitation

In a digital era, online content is packaged in various forms, presents different topics, and carries varying purposes. But in such a landscape where access is basically free, interpretation is open, and regulation is tricky, online creators have the responsibility to society to be mindful with everything that they produce and put out to the world.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

The Philippine Commission on Women, through our various official platforms, continues to receive reports on sites or pages that perpetuate harmful notions or practices against women and girls, including, but not limited to, sexual harassment, voyeurism, bullying, blackmailing, pornography, and exploitation.

Recently, a concerned citizen brought to our attention a social media page and video streaming platform channel that produces “prank videos” with various pranks showing the creators suddenly holding the hands of unsuspecting women in public, laying their heads onto women’s laps, and catcalling people. Notwithstanding the intention of the creators, these pranks can be interpreted as acts bordering sexual harassment. These videos tend to normalize these demeaning behaviors with the general public being led to believe that yes, entering women’s personal space is okay and in fact, considered entertaining. Worse, some generate income from doing tricks that people want to see on video, banking on subconscious desires that must not be manifested, clickbaits, and trends.

Time and again, the PCW reiterates the core principles under the Safe Spaces Act: acts done in the streets and public spaces and committed through any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person regardless of the motive for committing such action or remarks can come under the purview of gender-based sexual harassment. Hence, even if the content producers only deem these acts as “pranks” or “katuwaan”, they can still be committing gender-based sexual harassment.

But while some endeavor to keep the transgressions subtle and hide them in the guise of pranks, some creators have the audacity to be blatantly repulsive. Recently, a page on a video streaming platform was flagged for encouraging and even giving tips or advice to the subscribers about grooming minors or having sex with them. Upon receiving reports from concerned citizens on this, PCW has been coordinating with authorities on the appropriate measures that must be taken. While the channel which garnered more than 250,000 subscribers has already been taken down, the possibility of the perpetrator establishing another channel or using other platforms to post content about potential abuse cannot be dismissed. Hence, the PCW is warning the said creator and all who intend to emulate him: With a single video, you can push a potential predator into molesting and raping a minor, which under our relevant laws, is a crime. Within minutes of watch time, you are perpetuating a culture of exploitation, violence, and abuse.

The PCW reminds creators and consumers alike that the age of sexual consent has already been raised from 12 to 16 with the passage of Republic Act 116481 – a landmark legislation that the Commission, legislators, and advocates have long fought for. Under this law, an adult who engages in sexual activity with a minor aged below 16 is automatically guilty of rape, subject to very limited exceptions. Thus, those who will use the “diskarte” mentioned in forcing minors to submit to having sex can end up in jail.

We call on the appropriate agencies to investigate all erring creators who will demean and degrade women and girls, bordering on violating laws in place to protect their rights.

Having said that, the PCW recognizes that many creators are also leaning towards supporting advocacies, sharing knowledge, and inspiring people. Indeed, the digital realm will be safer and better if all will use their influence and reach to entertain without sacrificing quality and decency, to educate rather than degrade, and to promote, not violate, women and girls’ rights.

Choose to wield your influence towards the empowerment of Juanas.###

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MCW at 13: PCW calls for stronger implementation of MCW, anti-VAW efforts

As 2022 marks the 13th year of the country’s comprehensive women’s human rights law, Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710), the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) amplifies the call to strengthen the implementation of this landmark law toward the empowerment of all women and girls.

As the local translation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women’s (CEDAW), the MCW encompasses various aspects in the life of a woman. It aims to prevent discrimination against women in all spheres, allow them to take part in building the nation, promote their empowerment and equal opportunities, protect their rights, advance their representation and participation in all areas, and ensure the substantive equality of women and men.

Timely enough, the MCW anniversary comes weeks after the statement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address (SONA), signifying the administration’s intention to reinforce programs on Violence Against Women (VAW) and their Children, including counselling for victims, working closely with local government units (LGUs).

In line with the State’s mandate to ensure that all women are protected from all forms of violence under MCW and other relevant laws, the PCW reminds all agencies, especially duty-holders, to defend women against genderbased offenses and aid them in seeking justice and healing.

Specifically, RA 9710 mandates that there should be steady increase in the recruitment and training of women in police force,

forensics, medico-legal, legal and social work services, they must be protected in situations of armed conflict and militarization, and personnel involved in the protection and defense of women against gender-based violence shall undergo a mandatory training on human rights and gender sensitivity.

Towards this end, the PCW emphasizes the importance of establishing and ensuring the functionality of Barangay VAW Desks, as mandated by MCW. The FY 2019 2019 data of the Department of the Interior and Local Government show that 92.85% or 39,039 out of over 42,000 barangays have existing VAW desks. The Barangay VAW Desk Functionality Report (as of January 31, 2022) shows that of the 33,961 barangays assessed, only 36% have achieved the ideal level of functionality, while 48% reached the mature level.

With this, the PCW fully supports the statement of Interior and Local Government Secretary, Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr, calling on all barangays and local government units to “strengthen protective programs, counselling and support services for women who are victims of abuse and solo parents alike because they run to you [LGUs] first when they have concerns and problems.” Indeed, the barangays being in the frontline, must be capacitated in responding to VAW cases and providing adequate, gendersensitive, and appropriate services to victim-survivors.

Aside from addressing VAW, MCW laid the groundwork for the advancement of women’s rights in all aspects and for thirteen years, it has been the anchor and basis of other laws that served to preserve these rights.

With MCW, strides towards Gender and Development (GAD) have been made in the past decade, albeit gradually and not without obstacles. In fact, the Global Gender Gap Report shows that the country ranks 17th out of 146 countries, in terms of closing the gender gap, notably the leading country in Asia in this realm.

However, we have yet to see MCW’s full effects in fruition. The labor force participation rate of women is still lower compared to men. Women leaders are still outnumbered. Juanas are still burdened by unpaid care work. Some courses or jobs are still dominated by men. Some pregnant women still receive unfair treatment. Legislations that seek to amend or repeal discriminatory provisions in our laws remain pending in Congress.

Thus, the PCW takes this opportunity to remind, or moreso, challenge duty-bearers to give life to the letters of the law so it will translate to concrete impacts on the lives of Juanas. Let us all strive until there is: equal treatment of men and women before the law, security of women in times of disaster, calamities, and other crisis situations, equal access to and elimination of discrimination in education, scholarships, and training, participation in sports, eradication of discrimination of women in the military, police, and other similar services, and non-discriminatory and nonderogatory portrayal of Juanas in media and film, genderresponsive health services, participation and equitable representation of women in all spheres of society, special leave benefits following surgery caused by gynecological disorders, and equal rights in matters relative to marriage and family

relations. For the marginalized sector, lock the targets on food security, decent work standards, housing, social protection, peace and development, cultural preservation, skills training, and employment, livelihood, credit, capital, and technology, and others.

MCW at 13 is about strengthening, reinforcing, and influencing. MCW at 13 is about fortifying gender mainstreaming. For this, the PCW counts on all the GADvocates to work tirelessly towards the comprehensive and impactful implementation of the Magna Carta of Women.###

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Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015)

Quality management is an essential system that every company should have in place. It is a set of practices that help companies identify, measure, and control the quality of their products. In addition, they help identify potential hazards before they become problems and can be used as a tool for continuous improvement by providing feedback on performance against goals.

Quality management systems can increase efficiency and reduce costs for organizations that want to improve quality production. There are many different types of QMS, but they all have some traits in common: they all include a documented process for managing workflows; they require specific training on how to do tasks correctly; there’s documentation about what needs to happen when something goes wrong; everything has been.

The Importance of Quality Management Systems

ISO 9001 is a standard that defines the requirements for a Quality Management System (QMS) and is one of the most widely used standards in the world. The QMS can be applied to any organization, regardless of size or industry.

There are nine sections within ISO 9001: quality policy, the scope of application, management responsibility, customer focus, continual improvement process, supplier relationships, and duties; measurement processes; monitoring & measurements; corrective action; training needs analysis; and communication with customers.

The primary purpose of a quality management system is to help organizations prevent defects in their products before they go out. In other words, it helps ensure that these products meet customer and

regulatory needs by identifying problems in advance and taking corrective action when needed.

What are the Seven Quality Management Principles?

The seven quality management principles are a set of guidelines that help companies maintain control over the process of producing goods and services.

They can be found in ISO 9001, an international standard for quality management systems. Customer Focus :

processes, and tools used to provide the best possible customer experience. Engagement of people includes both internal and external customers as well as employees. Engaging with stakeholders regularly ensures their satisfaction with your company’s performance.

Process Approach :

A process approach in quality management is a systematic and planned way to ensure that all aspects of the system are working correctly. It includes monitoring, measuring, analyzing, and improving processes over time. The goal is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your business by ensuring that everyone follows the same steps so you can minimize errors and maximize output.

Evidence-based decision Making :

Customer focus is a crucial principle of quality management. Customer-focused companies are committed to meeting their customers’ needs and providing them with high levels of customer service. To do this, they must identify what their customers want, how they behave, and their expectations for the company’s products or services. They also need to consider changing trends in society to continue to meet their customers’ needs as time goes on.

Engagement of People :

Engagement is one of the most critical pieces to quality management. Quality Management refers to all activities,

Evidence-based decision making is a process that strives to understand the consequences of decisions, actions, and investments. It does this by assessing all available information with rigorous logic and applying appropriate data analysis techniques. As a result, evidence-based decision-making aims to make more accurate decisions, optimize resource utilization, maximize organizational performance, and reduce risk exposure.

Relationship Management

Relationship management is managing relationships between people, groups, organizations, and other entities. This includes developing new relationships as well as maintaining existing ones. Relationship management is essential in both personal and professional contexts because it helps to create a positive atmosphere for all involved parties. It also ensures that communication remains open so that issues can be

resolved quickly before escalating into something more serious.

Improving :

An essential aspect of quality management is continuous improvement. This process requires constant evaluation and revision of the current work processes, methods, and systems to improve their effectiveness. Quality management can be enhanced by using a practical set of tools such as:

– Quality control charts

– Statistical sampling techniques

– Defect detection procedures

Leadership Leadership in Quality Management, is about ensuring that the right people can work on the right things at the right time. Leadership aims to get everyone moving in one direction towards shared goals and values.

Leadership should be based on four fundamental principles:

1) Commitment

2) Understanding

3) Communication

4) Empowerment

Explain Why is the QMS essential?

The Quality Management System (QMS) is a framework for managing the quality of products and services within an organization. It includes procedures, resources, responsibilities, and decisionmaking processes that can be used to implement quality policy goals effectively.

The QMS is vital because it ensures that all of the components

in your business are working together efficiently. Suppose any part of your system fails or does not function properly. In that case, you will experience a breakdown in quality assurance practices, resulting in costly repairs or even potential recalls from customers!

What are the different types of Quality Management systems?

Quality management systems are the approach taken to ensure that quality standards are met. There are many different types of quality management systems, but they can be put into three main categories: product-oriented QMS,

client satisfaction. The idea behind this type of Quality Management System is to use the same set of procedures for every product or service, thereby ensuring uniformity in all areas. This allows companies to minimize costs by using equipment and personnel more efficiently. It also helps them maintain consistency with customers, which leads to higher levels of trust and loyalty.

People-Oriented:

A People-Oriented Quality Management System (PQMS) is a quality management system that involves all stakeholders in the process. This quality management system aims to create an environment where people can contribute their knowledge and skills for mutual benefit, emphasizing safety, health and environmental protection, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.

The objectives of PQMS are:

service-oriented QMS, and peopleoriented QMS.

Product-Oriented :

A product-oriented QMS is a system that improves customer satisfaction by ensuring that customers receive products with fewer issues, better quality, and on-time delivery. Manufacturers who have adopted this type of QMS have experienced success because they’ve become more competitive and offer higher quality products than their competitors.

Service-Oriented :

The service-oriented quality management system is a comprehensive form of Quality Management System that emphasizes customer service and

1) To identify any hazards or risks concerning the organization’s products or services.

2) To ensure that all activities undertaken by staff members comply with relevant laws, regulations, and social requirements.

3) To encourage creativity among employees instead of enforcing strict rules

4) To provide training opportunities for employees.###

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When failure meets forgiveness

Anna Bernice Francisco

Ihave been binge-watching this series in Netflix about the story of Jesus’ disciples after His death and resurrection. They were given the Holy Spirit to go into all the world and preach the Gospel and through the course of their mission they were pursued by the unbelievers and were brutally persecuted. But even though they suffered in the hands of their enemies, nothing ever stopped them from fulfilling their mission and calling and still, they bravely proclaimed the Good News to everyone. But before this grandiose scene of courage, a lot had happened before Jesus’ death. His disciples’ loyalty and faith were greatly tested as they witnessed, right before their eyes, how Jesus was murdered and nailed to a cross to bear the sins of the world.

Two of Jesus’ disciples were in the spotlight the night of His death – Peter and Judas. These two have totally different stories yet they share one common thing that shed light to a piece of history: betrayal. We all know how their stories went – Judas betrayed Christ for 30 pieces of silver and had him arrested. On the other hand, Peter, the one with the strongest conviction that he will be with Jesus until the end, betrayed Him by denying Him three times. One night. Two betrayals.

On the darkest moments of Jesus’ life, two of His disciples failed Him. Yes, we can feel the burden of this dark hour, but what has made an impact in the history of Christianity and Discipleship is the way these two disciples responded after each failure.

Failure has been a huge part of our lives as human beings. We cannot deny the fact that we stumble and fall for a thousand times. Yes you might have made a lot of mistakes in the past – some, you’re not really proud of – but

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that doesn’t mean that your value decreased. That doesn’t mean that you become and remain less of a person. What these two stories teach us is that failure isn’t the end of everything, but the decision is yours to make.

forward and let go of his guilt. And truly, he was given what he had hoped for — forgiveness.

Judas, swallowed by his guilt and remorse, decided to hang himself after committing his greatest failure. He ended his life. He hasn’t had the chance to experience the gift of forgiveness and salvation because he chose for himself to die instead. He took his life into his own hands. Yes there is hope, but how can hope be seen by those who vehemently choose to shut their eyes? Deciding to end your life (literally and figuratively) can hinder you from receiving the greatest blessings that are coming your way. Maybe you have these multiple layers of mistakes and failures dumped inside your heart, forcefully driving you to feel less about yourself but God never looked at you the same way you look at yourself now. Your worth is never based by your past mistakes, but by the future God has prepared for you.

This gift of redemption was experienced by Peter. He knew what he did and his heart was crushed. Covered in shame and despair, he mourned greatly after realizing that he failed Jesus. In the Scriptures we can read that Peter cried bitterly, which Bible scholars refer to as his act of repentance. Peter didn’t take his life. He didn’t hang himself in a tree. He made a decision to continue his life, move

When Jesus resurrected, He showed himself to His disciples and had breakfast with them (John Chapter 21). After breakfast, He spoke to Peter personally and asked him three times, “Peter, do you love me?” Three times. The same manner Peter denied Him. What does Jesus want to show Peter? What does this scene depict? As I meditate on this, I can just imagine Jesus telling Peter, “You denied me three times, and I forgive you three times as well.” It’s like Jesus wants Peter to realize that he has now been forgiven and restored. He has been given the opportunity to change his life, finally let go of his past and move on to a new beginning. This is what God wants to tell us now too, that no matter how many times you fail, He will always be there to get you back up. He wants you to know that your mistakes do not define who you are, but what defines you is His unconditional love for you – the kind of love that drives out all fears, doubts and worries; the kind of love that can restore your heart, no matter how many times it’s been broken; the kind of love that can turn a messy life into a beautiful masterpiece; and the kind of love that will choose you, over and over again. He loves you so much that He has and will always, without a doubt, forgive you from your sins and give us a new life with Him.

Peter is the failure, Jesus is the forgiveness.

Peter met Jesus once again, and he was forgiven.

After Peter was restored, he became one of the greatest apostles in the Bible who led thousands of people to Christ with just one preaching. This is the life Judas missed just because he

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more …”

Isaiah 43:5

CIY RADICALS - YOUTH LEADER

allowed himself to be consumed by his guilt.

If ever you feel guilty or ashamed for all the things that you have done or the things you didn’t do, God wants to tell you now that this is not the end of you. He knows your tears. He feels your fears. He wants you to be free from the dark nights you’ve been battling with, the weakening thoughts you’ve been fighting, and the relentless accusations and lies the enemy has been throwing at you. He wants you to be free from self-pity and He wants to restore your identity in Him. Yes you might have been a failure to many, but there is a God who is more than

willing to forgive you and give you the best life you could ever have.

With open arms He offers you His love and if you will wholeheartedly accept it, you will finally see yourself the way God sees you — a valuable possession. Once we encounter His love, we can finally let go of the thread that pulls us back to our past mistakes, and move on to the future that God has prepared for us. He will give us the strength to move on and start anew. We have a purpose. God has a plan in our life and He wants us to see and experience all the great things that He has for us.

No fear of the darkness

“For You light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness.” -Psalm 18:28

Why are children afraid of the dark?

Maybe it’s a fear of being left alone, a feeling of separation; maybe it’s their vivid imaginations or simply shadows in the dark.

The fact is, children fear the dark for many of the same reasons adults do and many fears intensify at night.

Today is the day that the Lord has made.

This is the day that He will meet you, right where you are now, and tell you that you are forgiven, and will now be free from that heaviness you feel inside your heart.

When failure meets forgiveness, hope arises.

There is a new beginning and a new life waiting for us at the end of the road.

It’s never too late to start again.###

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What fears have kept you up at night? Financial issues?Insecurity? Anxiety about your career? Concerns for your children? Whatever your fear, I have good news: God is with us always. On the good days, bad days, and during those long, anxious nights.

Read this portion of Psalm 139 (NIV):

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the Heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on

the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

(I don’t know about you, but every time I read this scripture, I am filled with a sense of security that only the Lord can provide.)

As a loving Father, God offers us a hand to hold during life’s darkest hours.

He will carry us through the darkness and lead us where we need to go.###

“As a loving Father, God offers us a hand to hold during life’s darkest hours. He will carry us through the darkness and lead us where we need to go.”

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