Gov’t pours P2.85B into road projects in ARMM

The government is pouring P2.85 billion into the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to provide better roads to the conflict-ridden region, along with efforts to reform the system of governance there.

Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad said Friday in a statement that the amount will go through the Department of Public Works and Highways, which is tasked to rehabilitate and pave national and secondary roads as well as to replace national bridges in the ARMM.

“This allotment will boost key infrastructure developments in the region, to enable [its four provinces] to attract local and foreign investors and to provide jobs for its people,” Abad said.

Of the amount, a total of P1.25 billion will be used for preventive maintenance projects, including  P139.69 million for Sulu, P45.64 million for Basilan, P623.28 million for Lanao del Sur and P442.05 million for Maguindanao.

A total of P517.35 million has also been allotted to rehabilitate typhoon-damaged national roads, including P160.62 million for Sulu, P210.75 million for Tawi-tawi, P130.98 million for Lanao del Sur and P15 million for Maguindanao.

Further, a total of P1.02 billion will go to the upgrading of roads, including P193.04 million for Sulu, P434.13 million for Basilan, P157.09 million for Lanao del Sur and P234.23 million for Maguindanao.

Moreover, P64.63 million is allotted for the DPWH’s national bridges program, which covers P33.03 million for the replacement of Gubawan Bridge in Basilan, and P21.6 million for that of the Pagatin Bridge and P10 million for the Matilak Bridge—both in  Maguindanao.

Abad said the road and bridges fund is part of the P8.5-billion ARMM Transition and Investment Support Plan, which is covered in the P72-billion disbursement acceleration program.

“The government is paving the road for the ARMM’s social, economical development that will be supported by reformed governance in the region,” he said.

Last month, the budget department released an additional funding of P1.97 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development to beef up the delivery of social services in the ARMM.