Marcos infuses P228-B projects in Bicol – DPWH

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has infused P228 billion into Bicol’s development since assuming office in 2022, according to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) director Virgilio C. Eduardo Eduarte. Eduarte shared this information with The Manila Times during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas with the Philippine Information Agency.

Eduarte stated that in 2022, Bicol received P71 billion, in 2023, P74 billion, and the largest allocation is for 2024, with P83 billion, totalling P228 billion.

Among the Marcos administration’s priority projects in Bicol is the construction of a 10-storey building at the Bicol Regional Hospital Medical Center (BRHMC), formerly the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH). This facility aims to accommodate the growing influx of patients and provide state-of-the-art services.

“This is the biggest hospital in the Bicol Region funded by President Ferdinand Marcos, so Bicolanos will no longer need to go to Manila for medical services. The 10-storey hospital being constructed at BRHMC is complete with hospital facilities. This 10-storey legacy building will be finished in 2027 with a P4 billion budget,” Eduarte said.

Eduarte added that the BRHMC hospital will serve not only Bicolanos but also neighboring regions.

“This aligns with President Bongbong Marcos’ goal to bring medical services and facilities closer to the people, especially patients with special medical needs from far-flung places. This significant program of the Marcos administration will cater not only to Bicolanos but to people throughout the country,” he said.

Another notable project of the Marcos administration in Bicol is the 15.9-kilometer six-lane Camarines Sur expressway, worth P28.4 billion, intended to decongest traffic on the Maharlika Highway in the Camarines Sur area.

For education, the national government has allotted a P1.5 billion budget to the Department of Education for the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms in Bicol.

Eduarte mentioned that Marcos has prioritized school building construction in Bicol. He noted that repairs on 92 school buildings in Albay province, damaged by previous typhoons, will begin next week.

“In Bicol, approximately 300 school buildings are to be constructed. Currently, 92 classrooms are set for repair with a P152 million budget released to the DPWH,” Eduarte said.

Engr. Arnel L. Samson, chief of the DPWH maintenance division, added that the DPWH district office in Camarines Sur will also implement repairs on school classrooms damaged by previous typhoons with a P29 million budget.