MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--Construction of infrastructure projects in the Bangsamoro region under the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) are nearing completion.

MILG Minister Naguib Sinarimbo in an interview enumerated the projects that are almost completed.

A total of 79 establishments, which includes 11 municipal buildings (three in Tawi-Tawi, four in Maguindanao, four in Lanao del Sur), 64 barangay halls, and four police stations (two each in Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao) are expected to be inaugurated and turned over soon.

Sinarimbo said that MILG is also procuring for the bidding of additional infra projects such as six municipal halls, 56 barangay halls, and five police stations, which are to be erected across five provinces of BARMM.

“In all, for this year, ang mako-construct at masisimulan nang ipatayo ay nasa 250 barangay halls under sa infrastructure components natin,” Sinarimbo shared.

Apart from the said projects, the ministry will also construct public markets, water systems, and public terminals, and tourism centers this year.

“Wala tayong provincial offices sa Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao, at Special Geographic Area (SGA) para sa 63 barangays ng North Cotabato, kaya magpapatayo tayo doon,” Sinarimbo added.

The appropriations for the said infra-projects are roughly P1-Billion, earmarked from the region’s block grant.

The Minister also noted that implementation of projects will be feasible and faster if quarantine restrictions will gradually ease, considering that the pandemic is still present.

“May mga challenges tayo noong lockdown sa pag-iimplement ng projects, such as site visit of working personnel, monitoring, at pati bidding sa mga contractors natin, but we were able to overcome it,” Sinarimbo said.

For next year’s priority project, the ministry will be focusing on the autonomous region’s economic recovery through the provisions of corporate projects for LGUs which would generate jobs and economic activities.

Sinarimbo also said that MILG will provide capacity building for incoming public officials who will be elected in the 2022 elections.

Further, it will also strengthen the complementation between LGUs and regional government, following the Mandanas Ruling which has resulted in to increase LGUs’ share from the national taxes. (Bangsamoro Information Office)