MANILA -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reminded the engineers, contractors and consultants undertaking components of the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project (IGCMRSP) to make sure that roadworks are done according to the Department’s quality standards.

DPWH Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, in-charge of Unified Project Management Office (DPWH-UPMO) Operations, instructed those involved at IGCMRSP in Zamboanga Peninsula to give major importance to quality outcome by keeping a close watch on their respective construction activities, correct by removing and replacing any defects, and take the leap to upgrade workmanship. 

“Let us get things done on time for the IGCMRSP as one (1) of the flagship infrastructure project of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte administration but never compromise the required quality and safety standards for all our roadworks”, Undersecretary Sadain emphasized during his inspection in Zamboanga Sibugay with Project Director Sharif Madsmo Hasim and Project Manager Emmanuel Supe of UPMO Roads Management Cluster 2 on January 27-28, 2022. 

In his report to Secretary Roger G. Mercado, Undersecretary Sadain who is also the Chief Implementer of infrastructure flagship projects under Build Build Build (BBB) program said that three (3) core projects of the IGCMRSP will be ready for inauguration by early second quarter of 2022. 

Road projects nearing completion are PR 06: Alicia - Malangas Road and PR 09: Lutiman - Guicam - Olutanga Road both in Zamboanga Sibugay, and PR 07: Tampilisan-Sandayong Road located in Zamboanga del Norte. 

The 23.73 kilometers Alicia - Malangas Road with eight (8) bridges has a physical accomplishment of 83 percent while the 29.70 kilometers Lutiman - Guicam - Olutanga Road is at 77 percent. 

On the other hand, Tampilisan-Sandayong Road with a total length of 15.35 kilometers including three (3) bridges has posted a 95 percent completion status. 

These three (3) roads provides rural connectivity crucial to poverty alleviation as it provides access to safe, accessible and sustainable transport system.

Secretary Mercado said that the roads are concrete legacies of President Duterte administration of improving the lives of Filipinos by bridging the infrastructure gap in the country to enhance countryside development. 

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Sadain was pleased with the progress of activities at PR 08: R.T. Lim - Siocon Road connecting Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte, a non-core project started on February 2021. 

Improved implementation of the project is evident with the sufficient equipment, effective construction approach that give emphasis on quality, and improve safety and traffic management at the road project covering 24.52 kilometers with eight (8) bridges. 

Also inspected was the on-going construction of Guicam Bridge that will connect Barangay Guicam, Alicia to Barangay Hula-Hula, Mabuhay of Zamboanga Sibugay and aligned with the Lutiman - Guicam - Olutanga Road Project leading to Olutanga Island. 

Funded by loan agreement between the Government of the Philippines and Asian Development Bank (ADB), the P25.26 Billion Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project aimed to enhance economic development and peace and order situation in Mindanao. 

The project covers the construction of seven (7) road sub-projects with a total length of 230.22 kilometers including the 540-meter Guicam Bridge in Zamboanga Peninsula and three (3) other bridges with a total length of 1.790 km in the Island Province of Tawi-Tawi. 

Other than rural connectivity, infrastructure projects in Zamboanga Peninsula also provide local employment opportunities, a much-needed safety net to reduce financial distress especially during this COVID-19 pandemic that has seen large-scale reverse migration to rural areas/provinces from cities. (DPWH)