(Mindanao Examiner Photo – Mark Navales)
TAWI-TAWI – Muslim autonomous region officials inaugurated two completed bridge projects, including a connecting road, in Tawi-Tawi in the southern Philippines, and unveiled more development and infrastructure package for the remote province as part of the government’s effort to bring peace and help hasten the local economy and bring prosperity to its people.
The inauguration was led by senior government officials headed by Mindanao Development Authority chairperson Lualhati Antonino and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson, and Governor Mujiv Hataman, of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and DPWH-ARMM Secretary Emil Sadain and other provincial officials – Governor Sadikul Sahali and his son Assemblyman Nurjay Sahali, and daughter Vice Governor Ruby Sahali.
The length of the two bridges – Subah Manangkay I and II – is 39 meters and 102 meters, respectively, and construction of another 30-meter modular bridge – the Subah Manangkay III – is going on and expected to be completed in October. The project is worth some P327 million.
The local governor said the vital infrastructures connect Bongao Island – the center of trade and commerce of Tawi-Tawi – to the mainland. He said with the completion of the bridges, the travel time was cut by at least by 2 hours. Sahali praised President Benigno Aquino for all the infrastructure projects in Tawi-Tawi.
Hataman and Sadain also led the groundbreaking of two more infrastructures projects – the concreting of 10-kilometer section of Sanga-Sanga and Lapid-Lapid national road worth P114 million; and water system in Panglima Sugala town which cost over P126 million.
Phase 1 of the water system would cover the entire town of Panglima Sugala and the second phase of the project, which is being designed by the Local Water Utilities Administration, would cover the capital town of Bongao and neighboring areas, according to Sadain.
Sadain said under the DPWH-ARMM Reform Agenda, all roads and bridges, including water supply, have been identified as among major infrastructures very essential in enhancing basic social services and uplifting socio-economic development in the countryside. (Mindanao Examiner. With reports from Amir Mawallil and Mark Navales)
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