Latest news with #DPWH
GMA Network
20 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
EDSA rehab not canceled despite postponement —DOTr's Dizon
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday clarified that the rehabilitation of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) is not technically canceled despite its month-long postponement. Dizon made the clarification upon the interpellation of Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel during the Commission on Appointments' (CA) panel meeting to consider his ad interim appointment as chief of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). NOW: The Commission on Appointments considers the ad interim appointment of Vince Dizon as Secretary of Department of Transportation. @gmanews — Giselle Ombay (@giselleombay_) June 3, 2025 'Hindi naman po ibig sabihin canceled... Pero sabi lang talaga ng Pangulo, nakinig siya sa ating mga kababayan, for us to find a better way and a faster way,' Dizon explained. (It doesn't mean it was canceled... But the President really just said—he listened to our countrymen—for us to find a better way and a faster way.) According to DOTr secretary, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. wants to expedite the rebuilding of the major thoroughfare from two years to six months. 'When he (the President) said a better way, he essentially meant a way that would be faster para hindi masyadong mahirapan ang ating mga kababayang dumadaan sa EDSA [so that it will not cause too much trouble to our countrymen passing EDSA],' he added. The Department of Public Works and Highways is the lead agency in the EDSA rehabilitation, which was supposed to begin on June 13. Marcos announced on Sunday the postponement of the project, saying it needs to be studied for one month to know if there are new technologies that can be used to hasten the rehabilitation of the 23.8-kilometer road. The estimated budget for the EDSA rehabilitation which aims to modernize the major thoroughfare and make it flood-free is P8.7 billion, until the end of 2026. Dizon said that by 2027, the DPWH estimated that the budget would total to P15 billion. 'Advanced stages na ng procurement, meron na atang mga natapos na ang procurement pero alinsunod dito sa utos ng ating Pangulo na i-pause muna at maghanap ng mas maganda at mas mabilis na paraan, eh baka kailangan is mag-adjust ang DPWH dito. But again I have to defer to DPWH on this,' he said. (I think the procurement is already in advanced stages, some of the procurements have already been completed. But according to our President's order to suspend the project and find a better and faster way, the DPWH may need to adjust also. But again I have to defer to DPWH on this.) The EDSA rehabilitation was supposed to pave the way for the 24-hour odd-even scheme and the waiving of toll in parts of Skyway Stage 3, among other interventions. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Tacloban mayor Romualdez seeks transparency in San Juanico Bridge repair project
Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez has called for full transparency and expert evaluation on the planned rehabilitation of the San Juanico Bridge, which links the islands of Samar and Leyte in Eastern Visayas. The Tacloban City Council declared a state of emergency on Thursday to expedite the mobilization of resources following the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) recommendation to limit use of the bridge due to safety concerns. 'So, to be quite frank, medyo nalilito rin ako (I am perplexed),' Romualdez said in a video statement. 'I feel the public should be given all the information pertaining to the condition of the bridge,' he added. He urged the national government to disclose the study that determined the bridge's current state and provide details on the extent of the damage and the timeline for repairs. 'This is not the first time,' he said, recalling a previous repair on the bridge 20 years ago that allowed for a six-month preparation period. Romualdez emphasized the need for independent experts to assess the bridge's condition and verify the cost of rehabilitation, which was initially estimated at P800 million but now stands at P7 billion. 'Even if you spend P7 billion, a feasibility study, a project study, and a careful analysis should have been made,' he said. He also warned against using the current crisis to justify the construction of another bridge without going through the right process. A recent assessment by the DPWH raised concerns about the bridge's structural integrity. As part of precautions, the DPWH has temporarily prohibited vehicles weighing more than three tons from crossing the 2.16-kilometer bridge. Since May 18, pedestrians have been prohibited from crossing the bridge on foot. Instead, they should use coasters and light vehicles for their safety. On Friday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the restrictions on San Juanico Bridge could result in up to P600 million in monthly economic losses, as 14,000 vehicles cross the infrastructure daily. 'The abrupt imposition of restrictions has stranded more than 200 vehicles and is projected to result in monthly economic losses ranging from P300 million to P600 million,' the NDRRMC said. Among the affected sectors are food and fuel supply, delivery of healthcare services, commercial distribution, and regional trade. Aside from Tacloban City, Samar Province is under a state of emergency due to the bridge repair project. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Automotive
- GMA Network
Tacloban under state of emergency amid San Juanico Bridge concerns
The Tacloban City Council declared Thursday a state of emergency as access to San Juanico Bridge, which links the islands of Samar and Leyte in Eastern Visayas, remains limited ahead of planned repairs on the structure. According to a statement by the city's information office, the declaration seeks to quickly mobilize resources while ensuring public safety. "With restricted access to San Juanico, the main gateway in and out of Tacloban, the city is facing serious concerns related to economic flow, emergency response, and supply chain delays," the statement read. It added, "This declaration allows the local government to act faster, allocate emergency funds, and coordinate with national agencies for support." In the same announcement, the Tacloban information office noted that Section 16 of the Local Government Code and other national disaster protocols provides for a state of emergency declaration "when public safety is at risk or when immediate action is needed to respond to a crisis or disruption of essential services." San Juanico Bridge, a major artery for the transport of goods, medical supplies, and essential travel, has experienced restricted access in recent days, raising concerns over economic disruptions and emergency response delays. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has said the cost of emergency repairs on the San Juanico Bridge could reach some P500 million. A recent assessment by the DPWH raised concerns about the bridge's structural integrity. As part of precautions, DPWH has temporarily prohibited vehicles weighing more than three tons from crossing the 2.16-kilometer bridge. Since May 18, pedestrians have been prohibited from crossing the bridge on foot. Instead, they should use coasters and light vehicles for their safety. The Samar Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier recommended to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the declaration of a state of emergency in the province. Built in 1969 and completed in 1973, San Juanico Bridge is the the third longest bridge spanning a body of seawater in the Philippines. — Sherylin Untalan/ VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Preparatory works for EDSA rehab to start on June 13, 2025
The rehabilitation of EDSA is expected to last until 2027, with its preparatory works set to begin on the night of June 13, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Monday. Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that they will rebuild and reconstruct the 200-kilometer southbound and northbound lanes of EDSA, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. A week after the preparations for the rehabilitation, Bonoan said that they will start the digging up of the road. The priority will be the section from Pasay to Guadalupe in both directions, considering the country's hosting of the ASEAN Summit next year. 'Ang concept of the EDSA rebuild is we will change the pavement. Babaguhin natin ang pavement ng EDSA into a new pavement. In other words, bubungkalin natin 'yung existing pavement sa EDSA, papalitan natin ng bagong pavement na matibay na pavement,' Bonoan said at a press conference. (The concept of the EDSA rebuild is we will change the pavement. We will change the EDSA pavement into a new pavement. In other words, we will dig up the existing pavement on EDSA, and we will replace it with a new pavement that is more durable.) 'We will adopt the latest technologies on concrete mix. On top of the concrete mix na gagawin natin, maglalagay tayo ng running surface na makapal kapal na asphalt para smooth 'yung traffic natin,' he added. (We will adopt the latest technologies on concrete mix. On top of the concrete mix that we will make, we will put a running surface with thick asphalt so that the traffic will be smooth.) Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, meanwhile, clarified that even while the EDSA rehabilitation is ongoing, the EDSA busway will be retained for thousands of commuters. How DPWH envisions procedure of rebuilding EDSA. EDSA bus way to be retained @gmanews @24OrasGMA — Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) May 26, 2025 He explained that the government has come up with several interventions to address the anticipated traffic due to the repair works, among which is making the toll in Skyway Stage 3 free of charge. There will also be additional 100 buses that will be deployed along the EDSA busway, and additional car train sets on MRT-3. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- GMA Network
Gov't to build new bridge near San Juanico
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Wednesday announced the government's plan to construct a new bridge adjacent to the existing San Juanico Bridge. During a Palace press briefing, Bonoan said the new bridge would be about 2.6 kilometers long, stretching longer than the existing bridge. He added that this will be financed through official development assistance from the Japanese government.'This will be one of the flagship projects under this administration. It is now under detailed engineering design. We hope that the detailed engineering design will be completed by 2026 and the construction will follow immediately,' Bonoan said. The existing San Juanico Bridge will undergo rehabilitation after a recent assessment raised concerns about its structural integrity. Authorities are already on blue alert following the enforcement of the vehicle weight limit. A blue alert status means agencies are at a heightened preparedness and alertness. Built in 1969 and completed in 1973, San Juanico Bridge is the third longest bridge spanning a body of seawater in the Philippines, connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte. Bonoan had said the present load limits of San Juanico Bridge amid its rehabilitation might be increased in the coming months.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
