New DPWH chief hits ground running, inspects Binondo-Intramuros bridge

A day after he formally assumed the post, the newly installed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Roger Mercado led Friday, Oct. 15, the inspection of the ongoing Binondo-Intramuros Bridge project.

DPWH Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, who is in charge of the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations, assisted Mercado in his first project visit as the new DPWH Chief.

He was also the first Cabinet official to step on the completed deck slab of the two-way, four-lane, basket-handle tied steel arch main bridge.

Mercado said that although reports can be read inside his office or while seated on a vehicle, the best decisions are made if “you really get to know and feel the situation [on] the field.”

The DPWH-UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1, with the contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation, has already accomplished about 82.75 percent of the work for the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge project.

“We are almost there and the project is scheduled to be finished early next year,” Mercado said.

He also lauded Sadain’s team for their “excellent job in coming with solutions to project implementation challenges, as well as mitigating the impact of the pandemic to construction activities.”

According to Sadain, the ₱3.39-billion bridge project across the Pasig River is part of the two bridges financed by a government aid grant from the People’s Republic of China.

The other China-granted project was the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge linking Makati and Mandaluyong which was earlier completed and inaugurated by President Duterte.

The new Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is a 680-meter, basket-handle tied steel arch bridge that will soon connect districts of Intramuros (at Solana Street and Riverside Drive) and Binondo (at San Fernando Bridge) in Manila with a viaduct structure over Estero de Binondo.

This new bridge under the Build, Build, Build program funded by Official Development Assistance is expected to cut travel time between Intramuros and Binondo and benefit at least 30,000 vehicles daily.

https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/15/new-dpwh-chief-hits-ground-running-inspects-binondo-intramuros-bridge/

Acting DPWH chief vows continuity of key infra projects

By Ferdinand Patinio

Acting Secretary Roger Mercado of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) vowed to continue the government’s infrastructure projects as he assumed his new post on Thursday.

Former Secretary Mark Villar handed over the agency's leadership to Mercado during the turnover ceremony at the DPWH Central Office, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila.

“I vow to sustain the current momentum in the Department so we can deliver more high-impact projects that will benefit the Filipino people including those living in remote communities," Mercado said in his speech.

"It is an honor to work with the professional men and women of DPWH and to be able to continue to oversee the completion of the Department’s flagship infrastructure programs and projects,” he added.

Mercado was appointed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte as the agency's acting chief on Oct. 12, replacing Villar who stepped down to run for senator in the 2022 elections.

Prior to his appointment, Mercado was the representative of the lone district of Southern Leyte. He is also the vice chairperson of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways Committee.

Mercado, a lawyer by profession, is also known for his tourism, environmental protection, and agriculture (TEA) programs in his province.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1156635

Unified Grand Central Station Update [Oct. 15, 2021]

LRT 1 CAVITE EXTENSION | OCTOBER 15, 2021 UPDATE

Lrt -1 Cavite Extension|| PITX October 15, 2021

PATAPOS NA ROOF FRAMES NAKALATAG NA! BALAGTAS STATION OF PNR NSCR CLARK ...

The Philippines New Light Rail Transit: Line 1 Cavite Extension

LRT1 CAVITE EXTENSION UPDATE

30-year nat'l transport infra program hurdles House panel

By Filane Mikee Cervantes

The House Committee on Transportation on Wednesday approved a measure that would adopt a 30-year National Transportation Infrastructure Program to ensure continuity amid changes in leadership.

In his sponsorship remarks, committee chair and principal author Edgar Sarmiento said there is a need for the measure to address the concerns of the aviation, railway, and land sectors, adding that it is only proper to finally have a roadmap for the next 30 years.

“So whatever current programs and projects relevant to aviation, maritime, land sector and railway should go on for us to finally have the needed public transportation the country needs,” Sarmiento said.

House Bill 9468 provides a list of core projects to be implemented between 2023 and 2052.

It may be updated every five years by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), in coordination with the oversight and implementing agencies.

NEDA shall also be primarily responsible for formulating the details of the infrastructure program.

To ensure funding, the NEDA and the Department of Budget and Management shall ensure that the total budget allocation by the government for the program shall be at least 5 percent of the gross domestic product.

For infrastructure projects related to road transport, the bill prioritizes the North Luzon Expressway to Ilocos Region, Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway, Metropolitan Manila Circumferential 5 Southlink Expressway, Metropolitan Cebu Expressway, and Metropolitan Davao Expressway, among others.

For rail and other mass transport, the bill includes the Subic-Clark Railway, Mindanao Rail Network, Metro Manila Subway, Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), EDSA Greenways Project, Intelligent Transport System for Mega Manila and Cebu BRT.

It prioritizes the Mega Manila Airport System, which includes the improved Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Bulacan Airport, and Sangley Airport; as well as the regional airports for Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Kalibo, Bacolod-Silay, New Zamboanga, and Davao.

It also supports alternative modes of transportation such as elevated walkways and bicycle lanes and other support facilities for cyclists.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1156550

New DPWH chief, MMDA general manager named

Southern Leyte Lone District Representative Roger Mercado was named as the next Department of Public Works and Highways secretary.

Mercado confirmed this in a message through his Facebook account.

His son, Maasin City Mayor Nacional Mercado, also posted on social media that his father already took his oath as the new DPWH head on Wednesday.

The congressman will replace Mark Villar who resigned from the post to file his certificate of candidacy for senator in the May 2022 elections.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also appointed Romando Artes as its new general manager.

He will replace Jojo Garcia who is running for a House seat as Rizal 3rd district representative.

Artes previously served as MMDA’s assistant general manager for finance and administration.

Leyte-based correspondent Wil Mark Amazona contributed to this report

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/10/13/New-DPWH-chief-MMDA-general-manager-.html