TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Philippines (PIA) –- The Department of Public Works and Highways in Region 8 is, so far, ranked number one among other DPWH regional offices in terms of infrastructure projects implementation this year.

Barely five months since the start of 2011, DPWH 8 has already posted 20 percent construction accomplishment, DPWH Regional Director Rolando Asis said in a media interview here last Friday.

Asis reported that DPWH 8 is fast- tracking the implementation of 63 projects worth P1.2 billion which is certain to help President Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration achieve its development goals based on the latter’s Social Contract and 16 areas of Transformational Leadership.

The priority projects currently being pursued by DPWH 8 include the paving of the remaining 66.25 kilometers primary arterial road from Allen, Northern Samar to Liloan, Southern Leyte; and the 295.668 kilometers secondary roads with an estimated cost of P6.8 billion.

Also, Asis said the rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway is expected to be completed by August this year.

It is targeted that by 2014, all primary arterial roads would have been completed and by 2016, at least 92 percent – or an estimated 272.05 kilometers of remaining unpaved secondary roads — are all completed.

Asis also disclosed that in line with President Aquino’s initiative to arrest insurgency in Samar, new roads dubbed as “Peace and Prosperity Roads” will be opened in the province this year. At present, detailed engineering work is already in progress for the P900-million all-weather road projects that will connect the hinterlands in Samar Island.

He said the project will connect the three provinces of Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar and is expected to start in the last quarter of 2011.

The road projects include the 35-kilometer San Isidro- Lope de Vega Road; the 9.8-kilometer Bangkerohan-Galutan-Imelda-Hinatad-Mckinley road; the 20-kilometer Trujillo-Duran-Gemaraganan road; the 12.1 kilometer-Polangi-Gebulugan-Queson-Trangue-Mabini Road; and the 13.5 kilometer-Colab-og-Lugib-Buenasuerte-Pasabuena-Maxvilla road.

The construction and opening of the remaining 12 kilometer-Albuera-Burauen Road traverses the mountain areas of Leyte’s4th district, and will eventually connect to the Burauen-Albuera Road in the province’s 2nd district.

That particular project is divided into three phases: P40-million Phase 1 spanning 2.05 kilometers; Phase 2 which will span 8.37 kilometers and is worth P80 million; and Phase 3, which spans 4.5 kilometers and will cost P100 million,

Director Asis said that Phases I and II have been completed while Phase III is 56.20 percent complete.

The completion of this project will provide an alternate road between Northern, Central and South Western part of Leyte, including Ormoc and Tacloban City. Aside from shortened travel time, it will also enable people in the upland area to bring their farm products to the province’s business district and also improve peace and order in this area.

Another important project is the construction of the P126-million Palo East By-Pass Road in Brgy. Baras, Palo, Leyte which is divided into four phases. Phases I to III are done, while Phase 14 has just started which about 15 percent accomplishment.

The opening of said Palo East By-Pass Road will decongest traffic at the intersection of Palo proper and provide relief to the public travelling in the South or Mindanao area and bound for the North or Manila area.