Construction works on flagship infrastructure projects resumed in the National Capital Region, according to the Public Works Department.
Public Works Undersecretary Emil Sadain said in a report to Secretary Mark Villar that civil works resumed at Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Link Road Project, with the agency’s Unified Project Management Office strictly implementing safety guidelines.
Villar earlier issued Department Order 35 which provides the framework and guidance for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Interagency Task Force under Resolution No. 34 dated May 8 gave the green light for the resumption of some construction projects with strict compliance to DPWH guidelines.
The department said that following compliance to the stringent health and safety protocols, construction activities also restarted at Estrella-Panteon Bridge Project connecting Makati City and Mandaluyong City and Binondo-Intramuros Bridge in Manila which were 54-percent and 32-percent into completion, respectively.
San Miguel Corp. also said the construction of the Skyway Extension project would resume on Friday after the issuance of guidelines by the IATF. SMC, through its San Miguel Infrastructure, is the concession holder of the Metro Manila Skyway.
San Miguel said that with its contractor returning to the job site, the development would partially mitigate the delay in the delivery of the project which originally scheduled for December 2020.
The construction of Skyway extension was halted for two months because of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
The company said, however, that it has yet to determine a new completion date, given that only a limited number of workers could be deployed by contractor EEI Corp. as part of the quarantine measures.
The project is seen as a key to reducing traffic in southern Metro Manila, particularly the South Luzon Expressway and the Alabang area while allowing motorists from the south direct access to the elevated Skyway and beyond.
“We have been given the go-signal by government to resume work on the Skyway extension, and while we cannot yet go full blast, we will do whatever we can to deliver this project as close as we can to the original deadline. We have to work smart, be efficient, and most of all, keep the workers safe,” said SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang.
Skyway management said it would close about 700 meters of Lane 3 of the Skyway At-Grade section northbound from the old Alabang Entry Plaza for a month to enable workers to install scaffoldings for the columns for Pier 34 to 49.
Skyway assured that safety, sanitation and other health measures were in place at the construction site, prior to the resumption of construction.
Workers will follow the basic rules of social distancing and put on face masks and gloves, it said.
San Miguel said there would be adequate hand sanitation and disinfecting facilities including the availability of soap, water and alcohol. Workers will also be housed in on-site facilities provided by the company.