The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has participated in the Senate inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the implementation of Republic Act No. 11054 or Bangsamoro Organic Law with the end view of ensuring that the provisions of the law are satisfied and implemented.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, the assigned Focal Person for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Infrastructure Projects by Secretary Mark A. Villar, attended the March 10, 2020 Senate hearing on the review of the implementation of Bangsamoro Organic Law.
The meeting was called by Senator Francis N. Tolentino, chairman of the committee on local government, to evaluate the creation of the new autonomous political entity known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Undersecretary Sadain reported that DPWH is fully committed to implement construction of national roads and bridges and flood control structures that will benefit the Bangsamoro people. This is pursuant to Section 37 Article 13 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in July 2018.
“The DPWH also submitted the proposal to Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in October 2019 creating the Regional Project Management Office (RPMO) for Bangsamoro. DBM reviewed the proposal and endorsed to the Office of the President on January 2020 for approval. Once approved, the RPMO will handle the direct implementation of all DPWH national infra for BARMM funded by the General Appropriations Act (GAA)”, Undersecretry Sadain added.
The national government through DPWH will help spark meaningful growth in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region with significant investments such as the construction of 62 kilometers transcentral and 19 kilometers ring roads under the Marawi rehabilitation projects; and upgrading of 176 kilometers national roads in Maguindanao and Lanao Del Sur funded by grant and loan assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The construction of three (3) bridges and approaches with a total length of 1.70 kilometer roads in the Philippines’ southern most province of Tawi-Tawi; construction of 840 lineal meters bridge connecting Isabela City to the hidden paradise of Malamawi Island in Basilan Province; and feasibility study of the 25 kilometers coastal road project in Jolo, Sulu are all included in the priority infra projects to be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) financing.
Various national infrastructure projects amounting P5 Billion from the 2020 GAA will also be implemented this year by DPWH in the Bangsamoro Region.
With significant investments for infrastructure, the long-term vision of meaningful growth in Bangsamoro Region is within reach, said Undersecretary Sadain.
