Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Monday, October 18, 2021
New DPWH secretary inspects NLEX Connector
NEWLY installed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Roger Mercado recently inspected the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector to familiarize himself with the construction progress and right-of-way requirements of the project.
With him were DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral, DPWH Public-Private Partnership Director Alex Bote, DPWH Project Manager Dave Galang, and NLEX Corporation Vice President for Tollway Development and Engineering Nemesio Castillo.
NLEX Corporation is accelerating the construction of the NLEX Connector as the DPWH remains committed to fast-track the right-of-way delivery so motorists can soon benefit from this high-impact infrastructure that will provide ease of travel and support economic growth.
“This new expressway will greatly benefit the public. We will continue our efforts to deliver the right of way needed for the NLEX Connector as we target to complete this in the first quarter of next year,” Mercado said.
A public-private partnership project between Metro Pacific Tollways led-NLEX Corporation and the DPWH, the NLEX Connector is an 8-kilometer elevated expressway aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and improving mobility within Metro Manila.
Participating in the government’s “Build Build Build” program, NLEX has allotted P23 billion for this massive infrastructure investment.
The first five-kilometer section of the expressway, which is now halfway complete, traverses Caloocan Interchange on C3/5th Avenue to España Boulevard in Sampaloc, Manila.
The next three-kilometer section spans from España Interchange up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
When completed, this new elevated road is expected to serve around 35,000 motorists daily and is seen as a viable 24/7 route for truckers delivering goods between north and south of Metro Manila.
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Friday, October 15, 2021
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.