DPWH signs $11-B infra deal for ‘Build” program

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday inked an $11-billion infrastructure deal with Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd. (Arup) at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

In October 2017, ADB approved a $100 million loan for the Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility (IPIF) to support the government in the delivery of high-quality public infrastructure projects under its “Build, Build, Build” program.

Arup will aid DPWH execute feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs of complex infrastructure projects under the government’s infrastructure development program.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said that the contract is estimated to generate public investment in tunnels, road networks, and inter-island bridges over $11.62 billion for DPWH.

“The Philippine government is embarking on an ambitious, but muchneeded infrastructure development program,” Villar said.

“Major infrastructure projects involving the construction of tunnels through mountainous areas and long-span bridges across islands are unprecedented in the Philippines. A world-class firm like Arup will help our government generate large-scale, state-of-the-art infrastructure projects, optimize public investment, and realize our infrastructure vision,” he added.

Iroaki Yamaguchi, director of the Transport and Communications Division for ADB’s Southeast Asia Department, said that the agency’s selection “of Arup, which has decades of experience in mega transport projects, shows that the Philippine government is becoming increasingly savvy in managing large-scale infrastructure projects.”

“We expect Arup to share its cutting-edge technology, innovation, and know-how with the government. ADB looks forward to continuing to work with both DPWH and Arup to help the government realize its ambitious projects under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program.”

The facility, along with the recently approved $5-million technical assistance grant, serves as a catalyst for the government’s project management and monitoring system.

Meanwhile, the remaining two contracts covering the preparation of DPWH’s flood management projects and the Department of Transportation’s projects are expected to be finalized soon.