MAGUINDANAO – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has earmarked at least P667 million for various infrastructure projects in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao province – scene of bloody battle between rebels and police commandos in January 25 last year.
The projects aimed to improve the lives of local residents and Del Dagadas, a 42-year old farmer from Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano town, expressed his optimism – which is also shared by local farmers and residents – that the infrastructure will bring peace and development in his hometown where at least 60 people perished in the fighting.
Dagadas said the recently constructed 120-meter Tukanalipao footbridge known as ‘Bridge of Peace’ and the 880-meter Tukanalipao Road are now accessible to local residents.
“Su dala pan bridge ba niya na ibelipag nami e mga produkto nami san sa footbridge a malemu gageba, u di menem na beladaw kami san ba sa pulangi ah. Aren antu na ibageda sa pambut (Before this bridge was constructed, we used to move our agricultural products through a weak footbridge, or by walking through the river. Sometimes, we transport them through the motor boat),” Dagadas said.
“Saguna na malemu den e kapembedtas, malemu ren e kabelyu endu kabeludup nami di kena mana kanu nona. Masla e kindtabang na kinaumbal a nya sa titayan sa lekami a mga bangangawid (Now, our farms are easily accessible and we are able to transport our products smoothly unlike before. The construction of this bridge benefits us farmers),” he added.
Engr. James Mlok, head of ARMM’s 2nd district engineering office, said his office has implemented various infrastructure projects that include a footbridge, access roads, school buildings and water sanitation projects.
ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said these projects will surely deliver development and peace in the area. He added that the region’s infrastructure program will help boost ARMM’s economic development, agricultural growth, and programs aimed at poverty alleviation.
Aside from the bridge and access road, the ARMM’s Public Works and Highways department (DPWH-ARMM) constructed 8 school buildings – Hadji Salik Kalaing Elementary School, Hadji Kalaing National High School, Tatak PS, Libutan Elementary School, Datu Tahir Central Elementary School, Datu Tahir Ampatuan National High School, Mamasapano National High School, and Maulana National High School.
DPWH-ARMM also put up 8 water and sanitation facilities in the following schools Datu Tahir Ampatuan National High School, Maulana National High School, Tuka Elementary School, Datu Tahir Central Elementary School, Hadji Salik Kalaing Elementary School, Linantangan Elementary School, Lusay Elementary School and Pidsandawan Elementary School.
The funds used in constructing the school buildings and in completing the water sanitation projects came from the ARMM’s Department of Education.
“Sobrang saya po namin ngayon dahil maayos at maganda na ang aming paaralan (We are very glad that we now have a better school building),” said Montasser Tago, a Grade 10 student of Hadji Salik Kalaing National High School.
“Hindi na namin kailangan manatili sa mainit at maliit na classroom na dating bodega, kaya po sobra po kaming nagpapasalamat sa ARMM government (We don’t need to stay in an old warehouse-turned classroom that is humid and small, that’s why we are very thankful to the ARMM government).”
“We will also construct different infrastructure projects in Barangay Tukanalipao, under the ARMM’s Health, Education, Livelihood, Peace and Governance and Synergy (HELPS) program,” Engr. Mlok said.
ARMM HELPS is the region’s banner program that aims at bringing a convergence of government services closer to the people through the delivery of integrated and enhanced interventions in identified communities. (Bureau of Public Information)
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