By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporter
San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte—As the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continue implementing road-widening projects and the relocation of electric posts along the national highway, Ilocos Norte Engineering District II (INED-II) Engr. Mathias Malenab appealed to motorists and the public for more cooperation.
Mr. Malenab explained that the project aims to widen the national roads to have a better highway for motorists, to avoid accidents and to lessen traffic congestion especially during peak hours.
At present, road widening projects are being implemented along the national highway in the towns of San Nicolas, Banna, Pinili and Batac City, each with an approximate budget of PHP20 million, depending on the length of the project.
He stressed that these projects are the continuing road widening projects of the DPWH for CY 2019 with 100 percent completion before the year ends.
He added that the DPWH will strictly implement the 20 meters total width of the road or 10 meters from the center excluding drainage canals.
With the on-going projects, Mr. Malenab emphasized that there are adequate warning signs and barricades even at night time as he hopes no one will steal those signs.
“Ta ngamin based on our experience iti naglabas, taktakawen da lalo no bakal iti barricades hoping this will not happen again because we are [after] the safety of the motorists”, Malenab said.
“Sa mga motorista din natin, sana huwag nang magmaneho kung nakainom dahil no amount of barricades and warning signs can prevent accident kung under the influence of any illegal substance,” Mr. Malenab added.
He also reported that his office is presently securing necessary permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regarding the affected trees for the road-widening projects.
Mr. Malenab likewise reported that the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative has relocated at least 200 electric posts affected by the project.
The Ilocos Times learned that more than 1,000 electric posts are affected by the road-widening projects for the province’s second district.
DPWH records show that they have already paid PHP20 million for at least 500 electric posts to INEC for the transfer and/or relocation costs based on the INEC-DPWH contract of agreement.
Relative to this, DPWH-INED I district engineer Maria Venus Torio, for her part said they have no road-widening project for Norte this year, however, said projects were proposed for next year.
Ms. Torio likewise reported that INED-I and INEC are expected to meet this month to clarify legal matters regarding the relocation of electric posts.
“Medyo mabagal kasi angaccomplishment ng INEC. Actually, upon payment of the 70 percent of PHP58 million as per our memorandum of agreement dapat nag start na sila e nagbayad na po kami noong last week of May pero hanggang ngayon, wala pa sa 10 percent iyong accomplishment nila,” Ms. Torio disclosed.
At least 1,200 electric posts are affected by the road-widening projects in the province’s first district, but so far only 57 were relocated.
Records show that the DPWH first engineering district already paid PHP40 million to INEC for the relocation costs.