SECRETARY BAYANI F. FERNANDO
When Secretary Fernando assumed office as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways in January 15, this year, he announced his policy directions in the Department. These are:
Better Engineering
One of our major policy thrusts in the DPWH is better and proper engineering. This is a practical instrument to cut down costs of infrastructure, while safeguarding its quality and service standards, and to curb graft and corruption. This will be pursued in the following areas:
1.1 Engineering Design
We have directed our technical staff to provide more resources to engineering surveys and investigations and designs. This will reduce the incidence of large variation orders during project implementation.
Especially important is our objective of exploring more cost-effective designs than those presently applied. Our target is to generate at least 30 percent savings in project costs. This involves the use of “value engineering”, adopting innovative or new appropriate technology suited to the specific requirements at hand.
Savings derived from improved engineering will be used to implement more infrastructure which will directly benefit the public.
1.2 Quantification
With more thorough engineering surveys and designs, the DPWH will also undertake more precise quantification of work items and costs to lessen cost overruns.
Better quantification will likewise be introduced in the project implementation, particularly measurement of actual works completed to ensure that there is no “overbilling” and that payments to be made are commensurate to the work actually done.
1.3 Quality Control
The supervision of projects will be guided by the rigorous implementation of quality control standards to ensure that work is strictly carried out in accordance with approved plans and specifications. More quality assurance and inspectorate teams will be in place, and computerized project monitoring reports will be submitted. No final payment shall be made to any contractors unless he has completed his “clean-up activities.”
2. Maximize the Use of Existing Roads and Other Infrastructure
The DPWH is taking several measures to maximize the use of existing national roads. This will enable us to avoid costly expansion or new construction. Among these measures are the following:
2.1 Removal of Obstructions Within the Road Right-of-Way
We have issued DPWH Department Order No. 52, s. 2003, whereby all District Engineers are directed to immediately remove or cause the removal of all obstructions and prohibited uses within the right-of-way (ROW) of all national roads, pursuant to the provisions of Section 23 of PD No. 17 (Philippine Highway Act) and the National Building Code and its implementing rules and regulations.
2.2 Infrastructure Maintenance
Maintenance and repair of national roads will be intensively done.
2.3 Traffic Engineering and Management
The DPWH is collaborating with the MMDA in instituting immediate, low-cost and doable measures through traffic engineering and management.
2.4 Pedestrian Overpasses
The DPWH will build more pedestrian overpasses especially across major thoroughfares to provide for public safety and convenience.
2.5 Application to Major Corridors
The abovementioned measures will be immediately adopted to the major radial and circumferential routes in Metro Manila.
3. Rationalization of Roads and other Transport Modes
3.1 Construction of Bridges
We are giving priority to the construction of bridges across rivers and other waterways to ease traffic flow. These bridges will be strategically located, preferably where there are exis-ting connecting roads, and where they could divert substantial traffic from congested routes.
4. National Building Code
The DPWH is finalizing the amendment of the set of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code to make it more responsive to the need to provide for a safer and healthful environment. The Department will exercise its authority under the law as the overall adminis-tration and enforcement arm of the Code, through the Building Officials.
Better Engineering
One of our major policy thrusts in the DPWH is better and proper engineering. This is a practical instrument to cut down costs of infrastructure, while safeguarding its quality and service standards, and to curb graft and corruption. This will be pursued in the following areas:
1.1 Engineering Design
We have directed our technical staff to provide more resources to engineering surveys and investigations and designs. This will reduce the incidence of large variation orders during project implementation.
Especially important is our objective of exploring more cost-effective designs than those presently applied. Our target is to generate at least 30 percent savings in project costs. This involves the use of “value engineering”, adopting innovative or new appropriate technology suited to the specific requirements at hand.
Savings derived from improved engineering will be used to implement more infrastructure which will directly benefit the public.
1.2 Quantification
With more thorough engineering surveys and designs, the DPWH will also undertake more precise quantification of work items and costs to lessen cost overruns.
Better quantification will likewise be introduced in the project implementation, particularly measurement of actual works completed to ensure that there is no “overbilling” and that payments to be made are commensurate to the work actually done.
1.3 Quality Control
The supervision of projects will be guided by the rigorous implementation of quality control standards to ensure that work is strictly carried out in accordance with approved plans and specifications. More quality assurance and inspectorate teams will be in place, and computerized project monitoring reports will be submitted. No final payment shall be made to any contractors unless he has completed his “clean-up activities.”
2. Maximize the Use of Existing Roads and Other Infrastructure
The DPWH is taking several measures to maximize the use of existing national roads. This will enable us to avoid costly expansion or new construction. Among these measures are the following:
2.1 Removal of Obstructions Within the Road Right-of-Way
We have issued DPWH Department Order No. 52, s. 2003, whereby all District Engineers are directed to immediately remove or cause the removal of all obstructions and prohibited uses within the right-of-way (ROW) of all national roads, pursuant to the provisions of Section 23 of PD No. 17 (Philippine Highway Act) and the National Building Code and its implementing rules and regulations.
2.2 Infrastructure Maintenance
Maintenance and repair of national roads will be intensively done.
2.3 Traffic Engineering and Management
The DPWH is collaborating with the MMDA in instituting immediate, low-cost and doable measures through traffic engineering and management.
2.4 Pedestrian Overpasses
The DPWH will build more pedestrian overpasses especially across major thoroughfares to provide for public safety and convenience.
2.5 Application to Major Corridors
The abovementioned measures will be immediately adopted to the major radial and circumferential routes in Metro Manila.
3. Rationalization of Roads and other Transport Modes
3.1 Construction of Bridges
We are giving priority to the construction of bridges across rivers and other waterways to ease traffic flow. These bridges will be strategically located, preferably where there are exis-ting connecting roads, and where they could divert substantial traffic from congested routes.
4. National Building Code
The DPWH is finalizing the amendment of the set of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code to make it more responsive to the need to provide for a safer and healthful environment. The Department will exercise its authority under the law as the overall adminis-tration and enforcement arm of the Code, through the Building Officials.
posted by Mailster at 4:35 AM
1 Comments:
If we look at what is happening in Metro Manila's roads with U-turn systems these days, the overall effect is noticeable in that there is a smoother flow of traffic and congestion in most junctions are more manageable in contrast to earlier situations where there were no U-turns and narrower road ways.
I think things are changing for the better in Metro Manila roadways. Thanks to MMDA, DPWH and Bayani Fernando.
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