DPWH orders work resumed on rain-delayed road projects

By Albert B. Lacanlale

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- Due to the unexpected early onset of the rainy season, road projects in the region, particularly in Pampanga, suffered delay to the ire of the commuting public.

Pampanga First Engineering District chief, Enrico Guilas, said Monday that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered contractors of two on-going road constructions in the province to work double-time to compensate on the delay caused by rains that arrived early this month.

Guilas was referring to the road constructions along the Jose Abad Santos Avenue (JASA) between Mexico and Sta. Ana towns and Gen. Hizon Road in this capital city.

Motorists plying the two roads have complained of the inconvenience due to the construction works.

Guilas said that the P10 million Gen. Hizon Road project was also delayed by the sudden change in the project plan, that included the increase of the road elevation from 0.3 meter to 0.8 meter and the upgrading of its line canal.

The contractor, Mark-Ness Construction, he said, has vowed to finish the base course overlaying by July 15 and concreting 40 to 50 days thereafter.

“We did not expect the rain to come early this year, thus the delay. But we are now fasttracking the project so it could be passable to all vehicles in the next few days,” Guilas said.

As for the 405.6-kilometer JASA road project, Guilas said, the contractor also vowed to finish construction by July 25.