DPWH acquires 120 equipment to boost emergency preparedness program

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that it has acquired some 120 equipment as part of the efforts to boost its emergency preparedness program. 

The 120 newly-procured equipment include trucks and heavy equipment like mixers, excavators, and bulldozers. 

According to the agency, it was done through the integration of the World Bank-funded Philippines Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project (PSRRRP) into its Emergency Preparedness and Response Program.

In an effort to further fine-tune operations during earthquakes and other calamities, the agency incorporated the emergency equipment components of PSRRP into the Department Order No. 87, series of 2018 entitled “The ‘Big One’ Earthquake Preparedness Program” also known as the Equipment Positioning and Mobilization Contingency Plan.

Further, DPWH revealed that Secretary Manuel Bonoan cited a report from Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain and Bureau of Equipment (BOE) Director Toribio Noel Ilao.

The report said that the PSRRRP Component 2 is financing the capacity requirement of the department’s emergency response equipment for transport, mobility restoration (ERETMR), in line with the Oplan Metro Yakal Plus or 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,” Secretary Bonoan was quoted saying.

Additionally, the DPWH also said that the new guidelines include five-year funding for the operation and maintenance of ERETMR amounting to P461.16 million. The said fund will cover the five-year operation and maintenance of ERETMR materials, supplies, parts, and labor costs.

Per the new policy, the DPWH Unified Project Management Office – Buildings and Special Projects Management Cluster will be the project implementing unit (PIU) of the PSRRRP. The PIU will handle the procurement of ERETMR, as well as the management and monitoring of equipment assets.

Meanwhile, DPWH said that the technical specifications review, inspection, testing, acceptance, assignment, and delivery of ERETMR to the department’s Regional Offices and District Engineering Offices, including the recruitment and training of operators will be under the supervision of the DPWH-BOE.

Photos from Department of Public Works and Highways Facebook page 

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