ARMM lawmakers to ensure transparency in infra projects

COTABATO CITY - Lawmakers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are keen on ensuring transparency in implementing projects under the region’s Public Works Act (PWA) for this year.

This is to prevent a repeat of the past administration’s lapses which, they claim, eroded the people’s confidence in the regional government.

The PWA is a requisite for the release from the national treasury of multibillion-peso worth of infrastructure projects for Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Marawi City, which comprise the expanded autonomous region.

The Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) enacted last week the PWA, the first law ever passed by the region’s new set of legislators whose tenure started in December last year and will expire in November 2004.

ARMM Speaker Ibrahim Ibay said they, along with the office of Gov. Parouk Hussin, will fully explain the intricacies of the PWA to all of the region’s local government units.

The past administration of Gov. Nur Misuari was heavily criticized for not involving town mayors and provincial governors in the implementation of projects under the previous PWAs.

"The contents of the new Public Works Act will be disseminated to all sectors in the region for the people to know all the projects intended for their communities. This will prevent suspicions and the fragmentation of our people," Ibay said. — John Unson