Japan funds ARMM projects

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / January 14, 2010) — The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is set to acquire a fleet of heavy equipment amounting to more than one hundred forty million pesos that would be utilized to support the maintenance of national roads and bridges in the region, the Philippine News Agency reported.

It said the funding for the project was provided by the Japanese government thru the 6th Non-Project Grant Assistance Counter Value Fund.

Secretary Titingalangit Sumagayan, of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Muslim autnonomous region, said the delivery of the equipment, which started in December last year, should be completed within 90 days as stipulated in the contract agreement between the department and the winning bidder, RDAK Transport Equipment of Davao City.

Another project also being funded by the NPGA6-CVF is the construction of the Japan-ARMM Friendship Hall and Training Center that would be immediately started after its proposed location is approved.

The heavy equipment acquisition forms part of efforts by newly-installed acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Adiong to make highways within the region safer and more convenient for road users.

Adiong had earlier ordered the release in full of the road maintenance funds to the different engineering districts in the region amounting to some six million pesos.

ARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi and Marawi City. Except for Tawi-tawi, each province has two engineering districts.

However, the engineering district of Basilan is still under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highway central office and is not covered by the fund, according to Sumagayan.

Road maintenance works are now being undertaken in areas across the region.

Adiong has further ordered the strict monitoring of field engineering works and the suspension of the succeeding monthly fund release of engineering districts who neglect their duties.