LINGAYEN–The construction of the P970 million new Pantal Bridge, which started late last year, will continue despite the election ban.

            Second Highway District Engineer Rodolfo Dion said the project is among the many that were exempted from the election ban because it has a definite time frame to follow as stipulated in the contract entered into by the Philippine government and the contractor, Toyo Construction of Japan.

Construction of the 367-linear meter bridge, a project initiated by House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., is set to be finished within 28 months.

Dion also stressed that the election ban will not affect other on-going public works projects as well as those that were certified by the government as urgent.

Similarly, Dion said, projects approved for implementation before March 30 this year will not be affected by the ban as provided for in the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).

OEC states, among other things, that construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and increase of treasury warrant or similar devices for future undertakings chargeable against public funds are prohibited during the election period.

Also prohibited is the disbursement or expenditures of public funds, public works, social services and development as provided for under section 261 of the OEC.

Dion admitted that there are on-going projects that had already been funded and obligated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), so these will not be covered by the ban.

Maintenance work and the  implementation of  urgent  projects, like those  related to calamities, are also considered  exempted  from the  ban provided that the same are endorsed  and confirmed by the office of  the President, he said.

He noted that projects affected by the election ban would resume as soon as the ban is lifted.

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