COTABATO CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) has programmed this year various projects in the five provinces of the region with total allocation of P10 billion.
In a press conference dubbed “Tapatan sa ARMM” on Wednesday, June 24, newly installed Secretary Don Mustapha Loong said his department is speeding up work to meet its target of implementing these projects within the year.
Secretary Loong is continuing the reform agenda started by the previous administration of former secretary Engr. Emil Sadain and the regional government. Engr. Sadain, the head of the regional public works agency for the past three years, is now the DPWH national office’s assistant secretary for foreign-funded projects.
Secretary Loong reiterated that the DPWH-ARMM has many flagship projects in the region’s five provinces. In 2014, the DPWH-ARMM targeted P5-billion worth of projects, which include 400 kilometers of roads, 13 bridges, 17 seaports and 12 drainage structures.
“As of now, projects for 2014 had achieved a physical accomplishment of 70%,” Sec. Loong said. The P10-billion worth of projects this year includes 500 kilometers of roads, 45 seaports and 91 water supply systems.
“We are now doing things faster and systematic and strengthening our partnership with the local government units for the people of ARMM in order for them to have cheaper transport of goods and products, better access to tourism sites, and mainly to uplift the lives of the people in the region,” he added.
The agency is currently working on flood control and drainage improvement projects to minimize flooding during the rainy season. DPWH-ARMM is also focusing on roads leading to tourist spots in partnership with the ARMM’s Tourism department.
“This will boost the region’s tourism industry and will attract more visitors and tourists,” he added. (Bureau of Public Information)
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