Feature: A need to study road networks of ARMM
ICC Cotabato City (23 October) -- In order to improve the existing road networks and construct new roads and bridges in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will extend financial assistance to the region.
This could only be realized if good study will be undertaken by both Japanese Government and Philippine Government in areas of the ARMM where roads and bridges are badly needed.
In view of this, the implementing arrangement between the Department of Public Works and Highways-ARMM and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was forged recently.
Signing for the implementing arrangement on the Study of Infrastructure (Road Network) Plan for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) were Engineer Guialoson A. Mamogkat, Assistant Secretary for Operation, DPWH-ARMM on behalf of ARMM governance, Akira Nakamura, leader, Preparatory Study Team on behalf of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Raul C. Asis, Assistant Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways-National..
The Study commenced last September this year and will be completed by the middle of August 2009.
Although the ARMM region has high development potentials with rich natural resources, the region is the poorest in the country and suffers serious poverty problems due to low level of economic development attributed to the long-lasting conflicts.
Deteriorated infrastructure brought by the conflict is serious bottleneck for urgent economic recovery and sustainable development.
Aside from ARMM, the study will cover Regions 12 and 10, excluding the province of Misamis Occidental.
For island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the study will be focused on capacity development which includes preparation of inventory, database and maintenance plan, but excluded from the Master Plan Study. Roads to be studied shall be basically for national, however, provincial roads that are necessary for the road network consistency shall be added to the study of roads. (MCD-RICC Cotabato City) [top]
