The 18.97-kilometer Marawi Transcentral Road, one of the key road improvements in war-torn Marawi City, has been completed, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced Thursday, Sept. 30.
Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said they inaugurated the road in Lanao del Sur on Sept. 29.
“We do not just establish a landmark in a site facing scenic Lake Lanao but this monument area also reminds that we have the rising and setting sun synonymous with renewal, hope, peace, and wonder for the City of Marawi is back to life," Villar said following the unveiling of the project marker.
Marawi Transcentral Road is funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
It is implemented under three contract packages financed by a 2 Billion Japanese Yen or P970.97 million.
The rehabilitation of the badly-damaged road is part of the government's build back better plan that aims to improve the road network of the city to prompt more economic activity and recover from the aftermath of the 2017 siege.
Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa in a message paid tribute to all the people involved in the construction for "successfully completing this project, despite the considerable difficulty faced by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic."
Koshikawa said that the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads is indispensable for the movement of people and transport of goods which is the reason why Japan has been paying utmost attention to the cooperation initiative towards the recovery of Marawi City.
The fully rehabilitated and improved road network covered by Marawi transcentral road phase 1 are: Bacong-Iligan-Marawi Road consists of Bacong-Marantao Section, MSU-Beyaba Damag Section, Basak-Malutlut-Datu Saber Section, Matampay-Emie Section, Sagonsongan-Saguiaran Jct., Saguiaran Road Section, Lancaf-Heaven Road Gap Section, Bacong-Poona-Marantao-Marawi Road, GMA Terminal Access, Marawi-Cadre-New Capitol, Marcos Boulevard, Idarus Road Section, MSU-GMA Road and Lumindong-Amaipakpak Avenue.
Villar was joined in the project inauguration by Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain of DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations, Lanao Del Sur Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr., Marawi Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra, and Task Force Bangon Marawi Assistant Secretary Frederick Castro.