In the Third Philippines-Japan Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar presented the Bangasmoro Road Network Development Project, an infrastructure project involving the improvement and construction of a 200 km road network covering 11 access roads and bridges connecting ARMM and other regions in Mindanao.
“Japan International Cooperation Agency has already funded the feasibility study of the Bangsamoro Road Network Development Project. We have already formed a multi-sectoral steering committee, which will be chaired by Undersecretary Emil Sadain,” Villar noted.
“We are confident that by 2022, the road network in Bangsamoro will be fully completed,” he added.
The 10-B road network would include the ff. road network
- Matanog-Barira-Alamada-Libungan Rd.
- Parang-Balabagan Road
- Sibutu-Blensong-Nuro Road
- Nuro-Pinansaran Road
- Maganoy-Lebak Road
- Tapian-Lebak Coastal Road
- Marawi City Ring Road
- Parang East Diversion Road
- Manuangan-Parang Road
- Tunggol 2 Bridge (On Davao-Cotabato Rd.)
- Pagalungan Bridge (On Davao-Cotabato Rd.)
Aside from the Bangsamoro Road Network, the Japanese government is also supportive of the Davao City Bypass, a 44.6 km by-pass road with a 2.28 km tunnel, which is expected to reduce travel time from Digos to Panabo from 1 hour and 44 minutes via Pan-Philippine Highway to only 49 minutes via Davao By-Pass Road.
“The detailed engineering design of the 19.8 Billion Peso Davao City by-pass is already on-going. The first phase of the project will be completed in 2022,” Villar noted.
“As the Philippines pursue it’s biggest, boldest, and most ambitious infrastructure program, we thank the Japanese government for being a great partner in our economic development,” he added. | DPWH