The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) held the 3rd Steering Committee Meeting for the Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (RNDP-CAAM), denoting its current progress, milestones, and challenges ensuring alignment, transparency, and mutual understanding with all relevant stakeholders.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, in charge of DPWH Infrastructure Flagship Projects and Chairperson of the RNDP-CAAM Steering Committee created by Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, presided the meeting on July 11, 2024 in Cotabato City, underscoring new developments and action interventions on pressing issues and concerns including those raised from the second steering committee meeting held on December 2023.
The RNDP-CAAM, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under Loan Agreement No. PH-F-P1, is part of the national government's initiative to establish better connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and provide better livelihood opportunities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Aligned with the broader goals of peace and progress, the project aims to develop, construct, and improve approximately 174.50 kilometers of access roads. This initiative will establish connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and provide better livelihood opportunities in BARMM and other regions in Mindanao.
According to Senior Undersecretary Sadain, although challenges are inevitable, it is fundamental to continuously strive and demonstrate utmost effort and commitment in fortifying efficient and effective coordination and communication with the local government units (LGUs) in the Bangsamoro Region and project affected communities for the RNDP-CAAM to sail through along its vital sub-projects in the conflicted-affected areas in Mindanao.
"This is a golden opportunity for economic development in the Bangsamoro Region. The Build Better More program will help realize our goals for economic progress and transformation", said Senior Undersecretary Sadain.
The active participation and support of everyone are proving indispensable in overcoming hurdles and ensuring the timely and successful completion of critical infrastructure projects.
The 3rd Steering Committee Meeting was participated by DPWH Unified Project Management Office - Roads Management Cluster I (UPMO-RMC I) Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista; Mr. Anton Marfori of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Ministry of Public Works - Bagsamoro Aunomous Region for Muslim Minsanao (BARMM) OIC-Minister Danilo A. Ong; DPWH BARMM Regional Project Management Office (DPWH RPMO BARMM) Director Najib D. Dilangalen; Stakeholders Relations Service Director Randy Del Rosario; Project Managers Reyderick Siozon and Herodin Edrs; Engr. Neijam S. Langa of UPMO-RMC I; Engr. Paolo Carlo M. Salvador of Bureau of Design; BARMM Local Chief Executives; and representatives from other government agencies.
Following the "Bagong Pilipinas" brand of governance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., DPWH will continue to work in supporting the government's programs and initiatives in the conflict-affected areas in Bangsamoro, revolutionizing its road network and revitalizing essential infrastructure instrumental in bridging economic gaps, building community resiliency and peace in the Region, added Senior Undersecretary Sadain.
Under Official Development Assistance (ODA) thru loan agreement with JICA, three (3) sub-projects of RNDP-CAAM are under Detailed Engineering Design (DED) stage, including the 36.67-km Parang Balabagan Road (SP-2), 7.07-km Parang East Diversion Road (SP-8), and 17.42-km Manuangan Parang Road (SP-9).
DED for these three (3) sub-projects are under the consulting services of the joint venture of CTI Engineering International Co. Ltd., and Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd. in association with Woodfields Consultants Inc., Edifice Planners and Builders, Inc., Angel Lazaro and Associates Int'l., KRC Environmental Services, DCCD Engineering Corporation, and Philkoei International Inc.
In his update, Project Manager Dr. Jovito C. Santos of the consultancy group reported that the DED plans for SP-8 was already approved on May 2024 and procurement thru international competitive bidding was advertised on July 5, 2024 for eligible contractors to undertake the 28 months construction of the two (2)-lane road with four (4) bridges with a total length of 287.80 meters.
The site inspection of prospective bidders is scheduled on July 18-19, 2024 to be followed by pre-bid conference on July 23, receipt and opening of technical bids by August 20, opening of financial bids by September 3, to the eventual issuance of notice to proceed by December 2024.
In line with the mandate of Republic Act 11054 also known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which requires the National Government to fund and oversee the construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects in BARMM, the DPWH is taking significant strides to enhance infrastructure in the Region.
Spearheaded by the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) under the leadership of Senior Undersecretary Sadain, the DPWH is actively implementing numerous projects across various areas within BARMM to improve connectivity, boost economic development, and enhance the quality of life.
The reconstruction of the 18.92-kilometer Marawi Transcentral Road Phase I through the grant aid from JICA, and the 18.78-kilometer Marawi Transcentral Road, Phase III covering 13 road sections under JICA loan were completed.
DED is also on-going for the 13.9 km Matanog-Barira-Alamada-Libungan Road (SP-1) and 63.0 km Tapian-Lebak Coastal Road (SP-6) under JICA Grant.
Additionally, an Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Emergency Assistance for the Reconstruction and Recovery of Marawi (EARRM) geared at the reconstruction and development plans for Greater Marawi - Stage 2 composed of the rehabilitation and construction of roads and bridges in Marawi under five (5) contract packages are at the final stage of civil works.
Other national government development efforts in BARMM are the construction of three (3) bridges in Tawi-Tawi Province namely 541-meter Nalil-Sikkiat, 569-meter Tongsinah-Paniongan, and 681-meter Malassa-Lupa Bridge under the ADB-funded Improving Growth Corridor Mindanao Road Sector Project (IGCMRSP).
Preparation of Feasibility Studies and DED of roads and bridges under IGCMRSP covered by ADB Loan No. 3631 - PHI are also on-going in Sulu Province.
These are the Construction of Paticul - Jolo - Indanan Coastal Bypass Road, a 4.659-km diversion road from Gandasuli Road Mauboh, Patikul to Umbul Dua Road in Indanan, and the construction/rehabilitation/improvement of 167-km (with exceptions) Sulu Circumferential Road.
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