A total of 13 major infrastructures damaged by Tropical Storm Sendong in Negros Oriental will soon be repaired at a cost of P480 million.
These include rehabilitation and river control and deepening of Okoy River of Sibulan with P200 million; rehabilitation, improvement of river control, rechanelling and deepening of Tanjay and Banica Rivers with P200 million each.
Another P100 million each for dredging of the Tamogong River in Bais City and Siaton River; P50 million for rehabilitation of Tapon Norte River Control in San Jose town; P48.550M for rehab of protection dike of Ajong River in Sibulan; P45M each for the deepening, rechanelling and protection dike of Sicopong, and Amio River, both in Sta. Catalina.
For the repair, rehabilitation and improvement of Balugo Bridge in Valencia town is also funded with P10 million; Tambohangin Bridge, Amlan got P8M; Calabnugan Bridge has P 4M; and P1 million for Tinago Bridge in Dumaguete City.
The Department of Budget and Management has recently released the funds to the provincial government.
To fast track the procurement or construction in support for the disaster management and response operation in preparation for the rainy and typhoon season, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has endorsed a negotiated procurement or direct contracting to the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).
Under a provision in the Procurement Law which allows such methods in cases of “imminent danger arising from natural or man-made calamities or other causes where immediate action is necessary to prevent damage to or loss of life or property…”
The PDRRMC recommended the negotiated procurement or direct contracting options because it noted the ‘time is of the essence’ for disaster preparedness.
Meanwhile, a disaster operation center will be set up at the Capitol as soon as the draft ordinance prepared by PDRRMO Atty. Arturo Umbac to be presented to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. (PIA-Negros Oriental)
