Philippines’ Regional Offices of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be hiring additional manpower to complement the surge of dredging activities for implementation nationwide.
Citing a report from DPWH Bureau of Equipment (BOE) Director, Toribio Noel L. Ilao, Public Works and Highways Secretary, Mark Villar, said that this year alone, no less than P70 million ($1.4 million) was allocated per region for the procurement of state-of-the-art dredging units and ancillary equipment, hence the need for corresponding operators.
“Supplemental equipment and manpower will augment our dredging operations that combat flooding in high-risk areas,” said Secretary Villar.
“Dredging allows us to excavate heavily-silted bodies of water which overflow during rainy and typhoon season. Currently, we are undertaking major dredging activities along Pasig River, Cagayan River, and Bicol River, in close coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.”
According to Director Ilao, DPWH Regional Offices were ordered to submit list of proposed additional dredge personnel in anticipation of the new equipment for BOE’s approval.
The number of personnel will be determined based on the number of additional dredging machinery.
“It is deemed necessary to ensure that all new equipment is manned by adequate and authorized crew as we prepare to intensify our dredging operations across the country. Our estimate is about 200 new personnel nationwide,” said Director Ilao.