ARMM regional wharf gets modernized access road

PARANG, Maguindanao – A foreign-assisted access road was inaugurated and turned over to the Polloc Port management here in what officials touted as an added push to campaign for heightened business activities in the 20-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong led on Thursday here the turnover rites between Polloc Port Manager Moharim Mohammad and Engr. Nasser Sinarimbo, ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) manager.

The access road, involving 6,000-meter length at eight-meter wide stretch and built-in with rubber fenders on the coast side, has been rehabilitated and fully paved with a cost of P22.8-million. The fund was provided by the International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the ASFP, records showed.

In his brief speech at the ceremonies, Adiong said the opening of the access road would “signal the start of the ARMM government’s vision” to operate fully the Polloc Port as a regional hub of marine transport activities.

“Rehabilitation and Improvements of ports in ARMM is one of the Autonomous Regional Government's priority projects,” Adiong added.

The turnover rites were also attended by local and regional officials including Pagras Biruar, who was installed as general manager of the Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA) a day before the occasion.

Port Manager Mohammad said the concreting and rehabilitation of wharf road network would ensure smooth, efficient and effective movement and delivery of port services at the Polloc Port.

Polloc Port has a total land area of 123.0353 hectares which is potential to be transformed into an international seaport, a reason the ASFP sought the fund support from the JICA through its Strategic Regional Infrastructure (SRI), fund project manager Sinarimbo said.

Sinarimbo said that efficient sea ports operations are imperative in the socio-economic uplift of the autonomous region.

ASFP has been implementing vital projects in ARMM that include education, health, infrastructure and other socio-economic concerns, he said.

Also present during the inaugural rites were JICA officials headed by JICA representative Tito Oria, JICA head of consultants Domingo Guarinio and Maguindanao OIC governor Nariman Ambolodto. (bpi-ARMM)