Quezon City reports high infrastructure completion rate

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City government invested P2.16 billion last year in various infrastructure development projects aimed to transform Quezon City into a more livable community.

Of the 284 projects awarded through biddings, 212 have already been completed, which means a high completion rate of 75 percent. The bulk of the city’s infrastructure investments went to various road projects, such as asphalting, drainage improvement, road and sidewalk development. In the city with the widest road network, the QC government completed 91 road projects in 2009 at a cost of P513.1 million.

Chief among the completed road projects was the East Avenue sidewalk redevelopment project, said city engineer Joselito Cabungcal, in a report submitted to Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. Aside from road projects, Cabungcal said the city also poured in considerable amount for the construction of various school projects, which is indicative of the city government’s continuing commitment to improve the public educational system in Quezon City.

Of the P427.2 million spent for school projects, P302.1 million was earmarked for the construction of new schoolbuildings, including the new four-storey, 19-classroom schoolbuilding at the Batasan Elementary School and the four-storey, 19-classroom schoolbuilding at the Quezon City Polytechnic University satellite campus, also in Batasan Hills.

The accomplishment report also included funds set aside by the city government to upgrade and redevelop public parks. Substantial contributions were made for the development of the 26-hectare Quezon Memorial Circle , which the city government is now managing. The city’s continuing effort to improve the cityscape also saw the completion of 16 government building projects at a cost of P76.02 million. Completed government buildings include day-care centers, health centers, police stations and multi-purpose halls.                

Belmonte said he wants major Quezon City infrastructure projects completed before his term ends on June 30. He said these projects are necessary in defining Quezon City as a model place to live in and work in.

“We have to finish all these projects,” Belmonte said.

Another priority project that is nearing completion is the P550 million new 200-bed capacity medical center for the Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH), which Belmonte considers as one of the city government’s biggest vertical projects. The hospital building, being erected at the three-hectare portion of the QCGH property in Barangay Bahay-Toro, forms part of Belmonte’s continuing effort to develop the hospital into a world-class healthcare facility, according to Cabungcal.