The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started strengthening its partnership with the Bangsamoro government to build more infrastructure projects for the people of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said the commitment of support was discussed during the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) in Davao City where he represented DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan.
The IGRB, created in 2019 through the Bangsamoro Organic Law, was mandated to coordinate and resolve issues in the Mindanao region through regular consultation and continuing negotiations.
During the meeting, DPWH, being the member agency of the national government to the IGRB, has proposed the construction and maintenance of national roads, bridges, flood control systems, water supply, and other public works and infrastructure projects in BARMM.
Sadain noted that the IGRB served as a joint mechanism for the national and Bangsamoro governments to push forward the Bangsamoro peace process in the face of the health, peace, and security challenges the nation continues to confront.
Aside from the IGRB, the DPWH represents the national government as co-chair in the Intergovernmental Infrastructure Development Board (IIDB).
Sadain said the DPWH and its Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) have already delivered much-needed infrastructure services in the Bangsamoro Region.
DPWH’s big-ticket projects for improved mobility of people and better access to goods and services in BARMM upon the assistance of the Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Sadain said they completed 18.97 kilometers of Marawi Trans Central Road Phase 1 under the Program for the Support to Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Marawi City and the reconstruction and development plan for a Greater Marawi - Stage 2.
The DPWH has also commended the Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (RNDP-CAAM) under the JICA loan involving the development, construction, and improvement of about 174.50 kilometers of access roads connecting BARMM and other regions in Mindanao, including the 19.8 kilometers Marawi City Ring Road and the 18.78 kilometers Marawi Trans-Central Road Phase 3.
Also highlighted in the DPWH report: the ongoing construction of three bridges in Tawi-Tawi under the ADB-funded Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project; China-funded Mindanao River Basin covering Ambal-Simuay River and Rio Grande de Mindanao River Flood Control Projects in Central Mindanao which is underway loan negotiation.
Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman and BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal led the IGRB, along with Senator Robinhood Padilla; Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr.; Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur C. Abalos Jr.; Finance Secretary Benjamin C. Diokno; Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo; Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim; and other representatives from the national agencies and BARMM ministry.