The rehabilitation and reconstruction of another 18.78-kilometer of the Marawi Transcentral Roads is expected to be opened to motorists by last quarter of this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) disclosed on Saturday, July 30.
Once completed, DPWH Sec. Manuel Bonoan said improve the flow of traffic, provide people with better access to goods and services, and open opportunities for livelihood and development amid the government’s continuing efforts to bring back normalcy in the conflict-torn Marawi City.
Bonoan said the 18.78-kilometer of the Marawi Transcentral Roads, which is part of the Phase 3 Contract Package 3 funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan financing for Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (RNDP-CAM), is just one of the projects in the area.
He said a consultation meeting between DPWH, concerned government agencies and local government units, and other stakeholders was held on July 28 for the planned Marawi Ring Road Project.
The 19.8-kilometer Marawi Ring Road Project will be located in the Municipalities of Marantao, Piagapo, Saguiaran, and City of Marawi in Lanao Del Sur and is also included in the Road Network Development Project in Conflict Affected Areas in Mindanao funded by JICA.
“The construction of a new road will generate employment opportunities for locals particularly those from families in the direct impact area. It will bring increased income to those who will be employed,” said Bonoan.
“The project is in line with the trust of the government to encourage economic development, reduce poverty and contribute in the government effort to peace and development in the conflict-affected area in Mindanao. It will complement the progress of the peace process by way of addressing the lack of infrastructure,” he added.
For the Marawi Transcentral Roads, DPWH Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said he already instructed the contractors to accelerate activities onsite by mobilizing adequate resources for simultaneous works especially during good weather condition.
He also directed Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista and Project Manager Francisco M. Sawali of implementing unit DPWH UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1 (Bilateral) to monitor daily work activities to catch up with the delays brought about by unfavorable weather, imposition of restriction in response to Covid-19 pandemic, and scarcity of available materials and supplies.
The Marawi Transcentral Road Project Phase 3 Contract Package 3 has the following status: Package 3A with a total length of 4.87 kilometers consisting of Cabingan-MSU Campus-Amai Pakpak Avenue (Road 6), MSU Campus-Matampay-Marantao Road (Road 7), and Rapasa-Bayaba Road (Road 20) at 55 percent under contract with Fiat Construction Services/M.M.A. Achiever Const. & Dev’t. Corp; Package 3B with a total length of 4.92 kilometers consisting of Emie-Sagonsongan-Linao-Lantian Road (Road 9-1), MSU-Bubo Road (Road 13), and Rantian-Paling Road (Road 14) at 60 percent under contract with Kouzbary Builders/Renren Trading and Const. Services; Package 3C with a total length of 4.34 kilometers consisting of Linao-Alinan Road (Road 15), Emie-Sagunsungan-Linao-Rantian Road (Road 9-2), Rorogagus-Mipaga Road (Road 25), and Bito-Mipaga-Marawi Road (Road 26) at 70 percent under contract with Al Hussein Construction; and Package 3D with a total length of 4.65 km consisting of Bacong-Poona-Marantao-Marawi Road (Road 2-3), Bito-Rorogagus-Guimba Road (Road 11); and Tampilong Road (Road 28) at 42 percent under contract with CDH Construction.
Sadain said the road projects in Marawi City will also benefit agriculture sector a major focus of the administration of President Bongbong Marcos Jr., by facilitating transport of products easily from farm to market.