The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) convened a public forum as it continue to engage project stakeholders in the efforts of intensifying infrastructure development in Mindanao towards better economic productivity and boost the sectors of tourism, agriculture and trade to achieve high, inclusive and sustainable growth.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain spearheaded the meeting on February 3, 2023 in Zamboanga City with concerned stakeholders for proper coordination of the proposed 300-kilometer new road development project under Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project – Phase 2 funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Zamboanga Peninsula including provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and Davao City.
According to Senior Undersecretary Sadain, the forum was an opportunity for relevant interested parties to include representatives of government agencies like DBM, NEDA, DENR, NCIP, DAR, DA, DoTR, BFAR, AFP, and PNP; utility service providers; and local government units to learn more about the upcoming road network projects to improve travel and connectivity in Western Mindanao and in Davao City.
Phase 1 of Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project, a flagship project of the national government in partnership with ADB covering 151.9-kilometer in Zamboanga Peninsula, was started under President Rodrigo R. Duterte administration and continued and expanded to Phase 2 to support the economic growth through resilient road infrastructure development under the “Build Better More” infrastructure agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The meeting has encouraged discussion and exchange of ideas and allowed the public to express any concerns about the proposed scope and component while the project is under feasibility study and detailed engineering design (DED) stage.
Organized by DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) – Roads Management Cluster 2 (Multilateral) under the auspieces of Project Director Sharif Madsmo H. Hasim and Project Manager Lilibeth B. Rico, the stakeholders meeting was also attended by DPWH Region 9 Director Cayamombao D. Dia; UPMO Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista, Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, and Soledad R. Florencio; Stakeholders Relations Service Director Randy R. Del Rosario; OIC-Project Director Najib D. Dilangalen of DPWH BARMM Regional Project Management Office; and Project Managers Emmanuel M. Supe, Olivia M. Baguio, and Evangeline L. Carabal.
Senior Undersecretary Sadain, in behalf of Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, used the opportunity to thank ADBs consistent assistance in the realization of major infrastructure projects in Mindanao and the stakeholders for their assurance of support in any way possible.
Project consulting firm Oriental Consultants Global presented the overview of project coverage for the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project – Phase 2.
Under DED stage are the 13.6-kilometer Zamboanga City East Diversion Road (with viaduct structure) in Zamboanga City and 2.9-kilometer Isabela City-Malamawi Island Bridge (with approach road) in Basilan Province.
A site visit of the initial alignment identified by the project management team of UPMO Roads Management Cluster 2 and consultants was conducted on February 4, 2023 by Senior Undersecretary Sadain at the Zamboanga City East Diversion Road and viaduct structure.
Meanwhile, projects under feasibility study and detailed engineering design includes 32.6-kilometer rehabilitation/improvement of Zamboanga City – Ipil National Road, Zamboanga City Boundary Section (with exceptions) in Zamboanga City; 90.1-kilometer construction of bypass and diversion road at Jct. Sindangan-Siayan-Dumingag-Mahayag Road to Jct. Liloy-Ipil Road (Molave-Midsalip-Siayan-Tampilisan Section) in Zamboanga Del Norte and Zamboanga Del Sur; construction of 5.7-kilometer Boulevard along Ipil Coastline in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay Province; 20-kilometer construction of Mauboh, Patikul-Tanjung, Indanan Diversion Road in Jolo, Sulu; and construction/rehabilitation/improvement of 100-kilometer Sulu Circumferential Road (with exceptions) in Sulu Province.
The feasibility study and DED also covers the 44-kilometer Jct Davao-Bukidnon Road (Calinan Section) – Wangan- Subasta-Tagakpan-Tungkalan-Tagurano-Bayabas-Catigan-Baracatan-Sibulan-Tibolo-Kapatagan Road (viaduct) in Davao City.
