Latest news with #DepartmentofPublicWorksandHighways
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
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
DPWH to use PET bottle waste in road projects; Greenpeace says it's not safe
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has approved the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle waste in future road projects, but an advocacy group warned that it might only cause harm to the environment. DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan signed a department order formalizing the use of bituminous concrete surface course with PET plastic bottle waste. This initiative builds on the agency's 2024 rollout of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bag waste in road construction. 'Turning waste into valuable resources for building better and more roads is the future of public infrastructure development in the country. The public can expect more of these policies as we vow to continue to fund these construction innovations,' Bonoan said. The updated specification is now included in the DPWH's Standard Specification for Highways, Bridges, and Airports, Volume II, and integrated into its Project and Contract Management Application for nationwide use. 'Potentially harmful' But the announcement has drawn criticism from Greenpeace Philippines, which warned about the environmental and health risks posed by plastic waste. 'We shouldn't depend on false solutions,' said Marian Ledesma, Zero Waste Campaigner at Greenpeace Philippines. She said the use of plastic waste in building and maintaining roads 'only creates more problems for the environment and public health.' 'When you take into account the wear and tear that our roads undergo, as well as exposure to the sun and other elements, plastic waste in building roads can be potentially harmful. Plastics contain a cocktail of harmful chemicals, some known as forever chemicals, which can potentially be released and expose communities to health risks. This may also result in the release of more microplastics in the environment,'' Ledesma said. 'The chemicals in plastic are not only linked to cancer, heart disease, other health conditions, and deaths, but they can also bioaccumulate in soil, plants, and animals—eventually reaching people through our food. In the same manner, emissions of microplastics can add to water and air pollution, which can also contaminate our food system.'' Greenpeace suggested reducing plastic production, banning single-use plastics, and implementing "genuine reuse systems" as solutions to the plastic pollution problem. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
Daily Tribune
31-01-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Philippines Inches Closer to Historic Infrastructure Milestone with Completion of Davao Tunnel Excavation
The Philippines is on the brink of achieving a monumental infrastructure achievement as the excavation phase for the country's longest road tunnel nears completion. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced on Thursday that the Davao City Bypass Construction Project is set to achieve a key milestone by the second quarter of 2025. According to Emil Sadain, DPWH Senior Undersecretary, excavation works for the project's north-bound tunnel are 95 percent complete, while the south-bound segment stands at 85 percent. This ambitious engineering feat is poised to be the longest road tunnel in the Philippines, once finished. A Twin-Tube Marvel The Davao City Bypass Tunnel will feature a twin-tube passage slicing through the rugged terrain of Davao. This revolutionary tunnel will significantly reduce travel time between Toril, Davao City, and Panabo City from nearly two hours to just 49 minutes. The groundbreaking infrastructure project, with a budget of Php46.8 billion (approximately $800 million), is being supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). On-site inspections by DPWH officials, along with dignitaries including Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo, underscore the importance of this venture as a "flagship" infrastructure project under the Marcos administration. Next Steps and Long-Term Impact With the excavation phase nearing completion, attention will now shift to tunnel finishing, roadway construction, and final safety measures. Once operational, the tunnel will not only provide safer and more efficient travel but also help in fostering the growth of economic hubs in Mindanao. The Davao tunnel project is part of a broader effort to strengthen national connectivity under the Philippine Development Plan. By enhancing the movement of people and goods across the country, the project will contribute to the sustainable economic development of Mindanao, positioning Davao as a key growth center in the region. The island is notably larger than Switzerland and the Netherlands combined, making its development crucial for the country's overall growth. Flagship Infrastructure Projects Transforming the Nation The Davao City Bypass Tunnel joins a series of other transformative infrastructure projects reshaping the transportation landscape in the Philippines: Metro Manila Subway: This 33-kilometer underground railway, dubbed the 'Crown Jewel of Philippine Mass Transport,' will be the country's first subway system. Upon its partial opening in 2027, it will reduce travel time from Valenzuela to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from over an hour to just 35 minutes, serving 370,000 passengers daily. North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR): This 147-kilometer railway will seamlessly connect Metro Manila to Clark, Pampanga, and Laguna, benefiting up to 800,000 daily passengers once fully operational. The project is co-financed by JICA and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX): The Philippines' longest bridge, CCLEX, spans 8.9 kilometers, linking Cebu City to Mactan Island. Opened in 2022, it significantly eases traffic congestion while boosting tourism and trade in the region. Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge: This $3.91-billion bridge will cross Manila Bay, reducing travel time between Bataan and Cavite from five hours to just minutes, bypassing Manila's congested roads. New Manila International Airport: Set to become one of Southeast Asia's largest aviation hubs, the $14-billion airport in Bulakan will ease congestion at NAIA. With four parallel runways, it will handle up to 100 million passengers annually once completed. As these projects continue to reshape the nation's infrastructure, the Davao City Bypass Tunnel stands as a testament to the Philippines' commitment to improving connectivity and driving economic growth for future generations.
