MANILA -- A road network improvement project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will pave the way to a revitalized economy for the Islamic City of Marawi in Lanao Del Sur.

In his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said that the rehabilitation and reconstruction of another 18.78-kilometer of the Marawi Transcentral Roads consisting of 13 road sections is on-going and targeted to be completed by this last quarter of 2022.

This project of Marawi Transcentral Roads Phase 3 Contract Package 3 funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan financing for Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (RNDP-CAM) will improve the flow of traffic, provide people with better access to goods and services, and open opportunities for livelihood and development, added Undersecretary Sadain. 

In his July 29, 2022 field inspection, Undersecretary Sadain has instructed the contractors to accelerate activities onsite by mobilizing adequate resources for simultaneous works especially during good weather condition.

He further directed Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista and Project Manager Francisco M. Sawali of implementing unit DPWH UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1 (Bilateral) to monitor daily work activities to catch up with the delays brought about by unfavorable weather, imposition of restriction in response to Covid-19 pandemic, and scarcity of available materials/supplies.

The Marawi Transcentral Road Project Phase 3 Contract Package 3 has the following status: Package 3A with a total length of 4.87 kilometers consisting of Cabingan-MSU Campus-Amai Pakpak Avenue (Road 6), MSU Campus-Matampay-Marantao Road (Road 7), and Rapasa-Bayaba Road (Road 20) at 55 percent under contract with Fiat Construction Services/M.M.A. Achiever Const. & Dev’t. Corp; Package 3B with a total length of 4.92 kilometers consisting of Emie-Sagonsongan-Linao-Lantian Road (Road 9-1), MSU-Bubo Road (Road 13), and Rantian-Paling Road (Road 14) at 60 percent under contract with Kouzbary Builders/Renren Trading and Const. Services; Package 3C with a total length of 4.34 kilometers consisting of Linao-Alinan Road (Road 15), Emie-Sagunsungan-Linao-Rantian Road (Road 9-2), Rorogagus-Mipaga Road (Road 25), and Bito-Mipaga-Marawi Road (Road 26) at 70 percent under contract with Al Hussein Construction; and Package 3D with a total length of 4.65 km consisting of Bacong-Poona-Marantao-Marawi Road (Road 2-3), Bito-Rorogagus-Guimba Road (Road 11); and Tampilong Road (Road 28) at 42 percent under contract with CDH Construction.                                                                                 

In his capacity as in-charge of DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations, Undersecretary Sadain supervises the operational activities of big-ticket flagship infrastructure projects under ODA financing.

Meanwhile, a consultation meeting between DPWH, concerned government agencies and local government units, and other stakeholders was held on July 28, 2022 for the planned Marawi Ring Road Project. 

The 19.8-kilometer Marawi Ring Road Project will be located in the Municipalities of Marantao, Piagapo, Saguiaran, and City of Marawi in Lanao Del Sur and is also included in the Road Network Development Project in Conflict Affected Areas in Mindanao funded by JICA.

According to Undersecretary Sadain, the meeting enhanced transparency and established better coordination in the planning and implementation of resettlement action plan and detailed engineering design.

DPWH UPMO conducts coordination meetings and public consultations to inform the stakeholders about the project background, scope, project objectives, benefits, updates, basic resettlement policies, and among others, said Undersecretary Sadain. 

Other than coordination meetings, the Department consult and collaborate with the LGU on the ground to effectively inform the public, as well as other stakeholders, during the initial project scoping. 

Secretary Bonoan said that the construction of a new road will generate employment opportunities for locals particularly those from families in the direct impact area.  It will bring increased income to those who will be employed. 

The project is in line with the trust of the government to encourage economic development, reduce poverty and contribute in the government effort to peace and development in the conflict-affected area in Mindanao.

It will complement the progress of the peace process by way of addressing the lack of infrastructure.

As government efforts towards securing peace is gaining momentum, the proposed road will also benefit agri sector - a major focus of the administration of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., by facilitating transport of products easily from farm to market, added Undersecretary Sadain. 

The project area has favorable natural conditions for productive agriculture lands and this new road was planned in a way that it supports the industry comprehensively. (DPWH)