- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bids and Awards Committee of the Department of Public Works and Highways Region 6 conducted a pre-bid conference Nov. 4 for civil works for the Bacolod Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH) project, totaling P265 million.
These include the BANOCEH Section 1, Segment 3, Phase 2 in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, with approved budget for the contract (ABC) of P122,624,184; BANOCEH Victorias-Sagay stretch, with an ABC of P91,337,130; and the BANOCEH, Section 2, Package A in Bacolod City, with a an ABC of P50,798,795.
The pre-bid conference provides an overview of the project, plan and profile presentation, the contract package, as well as key personnel and equipment required, and any query or clarification from prospective bidders.
Meanwhile, the DPWH6 also reported the completion of the 1.16-kilometer, three-meter high stone masonry structure, worth P44.9 million, along the Dapdap River in the coastal barangay of Punta Mesa in Manapla, Negros Occidental.
The project was undertaken by the DPWH Negros Occidental 1st District Engineering Office, and OIC-District Engineer Dene Baldonado Jr., in a report to DPWH 6 Regional Director Nerie Bueno, said the completed structure will reduce possible damage that may be caused by flooding and erosion of the river banks.
“This revetment wall will protect the river banks from erosion and prevent the possible water overflow, especially these days that we are experiencing a series of typhoons and rain showers,” Bueno said in a statement, adding that the structure will protect the lives, properties, and livelihood of hundreds of residential households, as well as agricultural areas in the community.
“This structure will not only protect roughly 8,000 residents of the coastal barangay of Punta Mesa but also the people in neighboring barangays, making them more secured even when heavy rains occur,” Bueno added.
Punta Mesa is prone to flooding due to the presence of bodies of water, including the Guimaras Strait in the west, the DPWH noted. Typhoons and high tides also contribute to the increase in water level along the river, which poses great threat to people, their properties, and livelihood.
“It is the one of our priorities to ensure that people living near rivers, creeks, and other bodies of water are safe from possible damage due to flood, erosion or water overflow. The DPWH continues to work with other partner agencies and stakeholders in order to provide quality infrastructure projects and services for the welfare of our fellowmen,” Bueno added./CGC
