Photo credit: The Department of Public Works and Highways
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that preparatory survey of the proposed Dalton Pass East Alternative Road Project is on-going and target for completion by third quarter of 2023.
A kick-off meeting between DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan with Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain and the Fact Finding Mission of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led by JICA Headquarters South East Asia Division Senior Deputy Director Yosuke Nishii and JICA Philippines Senior Representative Kenji Kuronoma was held Monday, March 13, 2023 at the DPWH Head Office in Port Area, Manila.
The purpose of the Fact Finding Mission is to obtain information on the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the project, which will facilitate JICA's review of the proposed Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan financing and will serve as the basis or preparation for the upcoming Appraisal Mission.
The Japanese government through JICA has provided the Philippines over the years, with assistance in planning, construction, and maintenance of crucial infrastructure.
“On behalf of the Filipino nation, allow me take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude for JICA’s unwavering dedication to help the Government of the Philippines achieve robust infrastructure development”, Secretary Bonoan said.
According to Senior Undersecretary Sadain, the Department will closely-coordinate and provide necessary assistance to the JICA team until the preparatory phase is complete.
“This is among the flagship projects of the Department under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. which will not only address safety and connectivity concerns of the existing Dalton Pass, but will also boost economic activity along its route,” added Senior Undersecretary Sadain.
The Dalton Pass East Alternative Road Project is a proposed 23-kilometer road that will decongest the existing Dalton Pass by providing an alternative road connecting Tayabo, San Jose, Nueva Ecija to Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya and vice versa.
Dalton Pass East Alternative Road Project will address the constant dilemma of frequent closure of the existing Dalton Pass due to natural disasters faced by travellers between Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya to the Cagayan Valley Region
The proposed project as an alternative road will not only prevent isolation of the provinces of Region 2 but will also improve transport and mobility and ensure support for farmers with the Cagayan Valley Region largely an agricultural economy with vast land dedicated to agriculture production for rice and corn.
During the meeting which was also attended by DPWH Unified Project Management Office Roads Management Cluster I Director Benjamin A. Bautista and other DPWH officials, the JICA Study Team presented the scope of the Preparatory Survey as well as target timeline or project implementation schedule.
Upon completion of the 12-month Preparatory Survey, the 15-month Detailed Design and Procurement will be conducted by the DPWH and its 5-year civil works is targeted to commence by 2025.
Article courtesy of The Department of Public Works and Highways
