Mayor John Dalipe met Wednesday with representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and different other agencies in his effort to synchronize all plans and activities in the implementation of various infrastructure projects funded both by the city government and national government.

Under a special arrangement with the congressional office of District 2 Representative and House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, who was represented in the meeting by Jojo Dalipe, the local chief executive said the city government will take charge in the acquisition of lots where the national projects are to be implemented.

However, he lamented that it takes time for the city to acquire the necessary lots due to certain auditing policy, thus causing undue delay in implementation of projects through the initiative of Cong Dalipe.

“Sayang el fondo para proyecto del gobierno nacional si no hay kita lote onde pone,” Mayor Dalipe said. Thus, the need for close coordination with DPHW being the implementing agency of national-funded projects.

Also in the meeting were City Planning and Development Coordinator Ma. Luz Agbayani, representatives from the City Assessor’s Office, City Engineer’s Office, City Accounting, City Housing, survey company, and others.

Foremost of these road projects are the Bunguiao-Tolosa-Lapakan, Bunguiao-Quiniput, Mangusu-Muti and Muti-Buenavista, all in the east coast, costing P150-million each for a total of P600 million under the Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) of Cong. Majo Dalipe.

Other road projects that Mayor Dalipe wants fast-tracked are: Veterans Avenue (next to former Filipinas Furniture) to Estrada St. in Tetuan, Estrada St., Tetuan to Enriquez Drive, Sta. Catalina, Mayor Vitaliano Agan Extension to Veterans Ave. (Honda), Sta. Maria Road to Dionio Road (Maestra Vicenta), Sta. Maria Rd to Al Jahra Rd, La Purisima to Barter to Mayor Vitaliano Agan Extension (Cluster), RCDAO Rd to Comet Rd in Putik, Papitos Road to Gallera (Cockpit) in Tumaga, Tumaga-Lunzuran Rd to Putik-Tumaga Road, Mayor Vitaliano Agan Extension to Veterans Ave. (Ciudad Cluster).

Also part of Dalipe’s priority are the widening of Don Alfaro St. from Veterans Avenue intersection all the way to Budgetwise in Barigon, Tugbungan, Gov. Camins to Gov. Ramos, concreting of Johnston Subd to Canelar Moret, widening of road in Aurora Village to Tumaga Porcentro, construction of bridge in Aurora Village to Cabato Road, construction of bridge in Casa Saavedra Tetuan to Cellejonin Guiwan, and widening of road in El Paso Canelar Moret.

 Another priority of the Dalipe administration are the flood control project from Jumbo Bridge in Tetuan to Barigon in Tugbungan, Sun Street Tumaga (Ateneo) to Tapangan Rd (Tumaga-Putik Road), circumferential road from Guiwan/Tugbungan/Putik/Tetuan, Manalipe Circumferential Road, Mampang-Rio Hondo Road, and Sacol Island Circumferential Road.

Lots for most of these road projects have already been surveyed, others subject for survey, and some for clearing of affected households, and still some lots are subject for either purchase or expropriation and donation.

The local chief executive was confident that his brother, Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, will help the city government in the implementation of these new road networks with the LGU taking charge of lot acquisition.-(Vic Larato)