COTABATO CITY, Feb. 27 (PNA) — The District Engineering Offices (DEOs) of the Department of Public Works and Highways – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) have identified 1,200 proposed infrastructure projects for 2015-2016 to ensure socio-economic development in the region before the Bangsamoro government sits in.
Engr. Emil Sadain, ARMM Public Works secretary, said the final list of infra-projects would be included in the region’s budget for 2015.
“The listing of the identified infrastructure projects includes the priority projects endorsed by our local chief executives and were identified during the 2nd ARMM LGU Summit in Davao City on February 11-12, 2014. We considered most of their (LGUs) proposals,” Sadain said.
The lists contain projects on construction, expansion and rehabilitation of bridges, ports, water systems and road concreting.
Sadain said that ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman has earlier required that all infrastructure projects for implementation in the region be in accordance to the needs of constituents and should support programs for poverty alleviation.
Sadain, who is also concurrent assistant secretary of DPWH national office, said they categorize priority infrastructure projects by targets and objectives.
He added that infra-projects should be supportive of peace and development, addresses critical bottlenecks, has assets preservation and supportive of agriculture, tourism, education and public health and sanitation.
“Our infra projects should conform with the projects at the national level,” he stressed.
During a February 24-25 workshop, the eight DEOs in the region have presented their proposed projects, which is to be approved by the Regional Economic, Development Planning Board (REDPB), the highest policy making body in the ARMM.
“All our district engineers are in consultation with their engineering and project counterparts from the local government units in their respective districts,” Sadain said. (PNA)