COTABATO CITY – A total of 30.1 km. of paved roads in 10 conflict-affected towns in Maguindanao are set for completion this year, the provincial engineering office reported Thursday.
Latest data show 22.5 km. of 30.1 km. have been paved out of the total span of road projects under the Humanitarian and Development Action Plan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM-HDAP) for 2018 under a budget of PHP371.1 million.
ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman led the drafting of HDAP following the Jan. 25, 2015 Mamasapano misencounter between elite police forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front elements that also led to the displacement of some 125,000 residents in the area.
ARMM-HDAP aims to address the immediate needs of the affected families, as well as provide follow-through interventions in the affected communities.
It also aims to establish a systematic and a coordinated approach in addressing and mitigating the effects of future disasters and calamities, leading to a more peaceful and resilient autonomous region.
The infrastructure projects implemented by the Maguindanao 2nd district engineering office cover the municipalities of Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Mamasapano, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, and Talayan, which suffered from both man-made and natural disasters in previous years.
The projects included the concreting of the Nunangen-Tungal and Nunangen-Tungal Phase II roads in Datu Anggal Midtimbang; Philippine Trade-Duguengen-Tukanalipao, Malingao-Malibutan Phase II, and Dado-Muntay Phase II roads in Mamasapano; Timbangan-Labu-Labu, Kayakaya-Tukanalugong, Guinibon-Sugadol, and Talisawa-Mao roads in Datu Abdullah Sangki.
Also up for paving are the Dilembong-Duguengen road in Shariff Saydona Mustapha; municipal road in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan; Kitango-Maganoy and Sitio Taguan-Panaang-Balanakan roads in Datu Saudi Ampatuan; Sambolawan-Madia road in Datu Salibo; and South and North Binangga road in Talayan.
James Mlok, chief of the 2nd district engineering office, said the road improvement projects in these towns would help address peace and development issues and boost local economy.
“The projects would help much in making transporting farm produce easier, thereby increasing profits,” Mlok stressed.
The HDAP has helped elevate the lives of poor constituents in 15 municipalities of Maguindanao, even as it continues to contribute in creating stable and sustainable communities across the region. (Noel Punzalan/PNA)
