DPWH upgrades equipment, assets of risk reduction project

DPWH upgrades equipment, assets of risk reduction projectBy PNA

MANILA, Sept. 16 -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has integrated the Philippines Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project (PSRRRP) into its Emergency Preparedness and Response Program to further fine-tune operations during earthquakes and other calamities.

Department Order 113, signed by Secretary Manuel Bonoan on Sept. 6, approved the policy guidelines to incorporate the emergency equipment components of the PSRRP to Department Order 87, also known as the "The 'Big One' Earthquake Preparedness Program" or the equipment positioning and mobilization contingency plan.

The PSRRRP Component 2 finances the capacity requirement of the DPWH emergency response equipment for transport, mobility restoration (ERETMR), under the Metro Manila Earthquake Contingency Plan and the Metropolitan Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study.

"With about 120 new equipment to be added to the existing ERETMR assets of the DPWH across the country, this will not only enhance the capacity to respond in case of a potentially catastrophic earthquake happening in the Greater Metro Manila Area but also other natural hazards nationwide," the DPWH said in a news release on Saturday.

The PSRRRP is funded by the World Bank, which requires that the implementation of the material measures and actions be reported by the DPWH and that it will be informed of changes.

Also incorporated in the new guidelines is the five-year DPWH funding for the operation and maintenance of ERETMR amounting to PHP461.16 million, which is stipulated as the government counterpart fund to cover operation and maintenance of materials, supplies or parts, and labor costs.

The updated policy designates the DPWH Unified Project Management Office - Buildings and Special Projects Management Cluster as the project-implementing unit of the PSRRRP, handler of the procurement of ERETMR, and in charge of funding management and monitoring of equipment assets.

Meanwhile, the technical specifications review, inspection, testing, acceptance, assignment, and delivery of ERETMR to the DPWH regional and district engineering offices, including the recruitment and training of operators, will be under the supervision of the DPWH - Bureau of Equipment.