ASFP beefs up infra projects; signs contract

COTABATO CITY – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Social Fund Project (ASFP) and the winning contractors signed here on Tuesday the contract for the construction of three (3) Strategic Regional Infrastructure (SRI) subprojects under the Japan International Coordinating Agency (JICA) component. The projects are part of the eight-second batch SRI projects to be implemented this year once JICA replied no objection.

Some P35 million are allocated for the construction of two-storey and eight-eight classroom high school building of Andong National High School in Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur, concreting of access road from national highway to Dr. Serapio B. Montaner Hospital Road in Malabang, Lanao del Sur and construction of Local Government Center of four municipalities in Maguindanao province – Rajah Buayan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Datu Unsay Ampatuan.

ASFP Project Manager, Atty. Mustapha Sambolawan, said the series of contract signings manifests ARMM regional government’s effort to hasten the implementation of infrastructure projects to incessantly address poverty thereby enhance development and socio-economic condition of the people.

“These projects demonstrate ARMM regional government earnest desire to uplift the social and economic situation of people in the poor and conflict-affected communities in the region. This could not only improve employment opportunities and household incomes but assures food security as well,” Sambolawan stressed.

Sambolawan added, “The concreting of access road in Dr. Serapio B. Montaner Hospital ensures safe and easy access of patients to health services while the construction of Local Government Centers will provide quality venue for local governments of each municipality, line agencies and civil society organizations towards responsive local governance.”

Earlier, four SRI subprojects to be erected in the island provinces were sealed here on June 11. The ASFP is currently awaiting JICA’s notice to implement the construction of two-storey and eight-classroom high school buildings in Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi namely Maimbung National High School, Lamitan National High School and Bato-Bato National Highschool in Panglima Sugala; and the construction of rock causeway in Banguigui Fishing Port in Sulu.

Regional Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the region (DPWH-ARMM), Rasul Abpi, said that ARMM regional government generally aims to strengthen the physical foundation of the autonomous region’s economy thus construction of school buildings plays a big role to support the thrust.

“These school buildings are very beneficial not only to students but to the entire populace of island provinces. This will help resolve the shortfall of classrooms and improve the educational services as well as generate local employment,” Abpi said.

The remaining SRI sub-project which is the construction of two-storey and eight-classroom high school building of Maguindanao National High School in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao is under evaluation and due for rebidding, according to Sambolawan.

ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan, on the other hand, lauds the efforts of ASFP, ARMM line agencies and community groups who collectively collaborate during consultations, project preparations and planning processes to ensure efficient services for the people in the autonomous region.

The ASFP composes of three (3) project components – the Community Development Assistance (CDA), SRI and Institutional Strengthening and Governance (ISG) which aims to foster sustainable development in the ARMM. ASFP has 33 SRI subprojects approved by JICA in 2007 where seven (7) of the first batch had already began construction last year and seven (7) of the second batch this year is awaiting notice from JICA to start the implementation.

The CDA and SRI project components in the ARMM is part of the 2.47 billion yen commitment of Japan government through JICA fund in 2005 to support the peace and development program of the Government of the Philippines. (BPI-ARMM)