The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is targetting to complete more than 400 infrastructure projects in Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) that will be crucial to sustain the economic development in Mindanao.
DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado said that there are 482 ongoing infrastructure projects in Region 9 with a budget of P14.733 billion.
Part of this is the 68.295-kilometer Siocon-Sirawai–Sibuco–Limpapa Road connecting the three municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte to Zamboanga City which is set to be finished by 2022.
The project is seen to provide easy transport of agricultural products and effectively reduce travel time from five hours to one hour and 30 minutes between Zamboanga City and Siocon.
Another high-impact project is the 79.346-kilometer Sindangan Bayog Lakewood Road which will reduce travel time from six hours to two hours once completed, and will connect the two provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.
A 17.22-kilometer Zamboanga City Diversion Road, stretching from Barangay Cabaluay to Barangay Sta. Catalina, is also included in the priorities as it will serve as an alternate road for motorists going to Pagadian City and Zamboanga City for an established priority corridor located in Zamboanga City.
Once fully completed, the diversion road will reduce travel time from one hour and 30 minutes to 20 minutes, which will benefit an average of 8,277 travelers per day, Mercado said.
Further, an on-going alternate road from Pagadian City to Zamboanga City Road is being built by the DPWH. The Buenavista-Bolong Coastal Bypass Road Project will connect roads leading to a wharf, where boats can ferry and transport tourists to the famous 11 islands dock.
Another priority project is the 28.482-kilometer Ayala–La Paz Road, a convergence project of DPWH and the Department of Tourism, which will provide accessibility to Ayala-La Paz Resort by connecting the tourist site to NRJ Ayala–La Paz Road, Zamboanga City.
"The road facilitates safer, better, faster and easier access to Nancy Falls and other tourist spots located in the area," Mercado said.
The DPWH chief expresses optimism that the agency will surpass its achievements in Zambianga Peninsula in 2021.
Based on the 2021 accomplishment report from DPWH Region 9 Director Cayamombao Dia, there were 276 projects completed in the region.