‘Peace road’ to link Cotabato, Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The government will start the construction of a 14-kilometer “peace diversion artery” as an alternate route that will connect this city to the southern side of Maguindanao province.

The Saudi Fund for Development has earmarked P709.3 million for the project, which will include three bridges that will interconnect riverside villages the diversion road will traverse.

Peace activists, among them senior officials of the Moro National Liberation Front, said Saudi Arabia committed to the project several years ago in support of the peace process.

Representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways, led by Maguindanao first district Rep. Sandra Sema, inspected portions of the proposed route last Saturday.

The project will connect a stretch of the Cotabato-General Santos Highway in Barangay Daiwan in Datu Odin Sinsuat town to Cotabato City.

 “We in the first district of Maguindanao are very grateful to the Saudi Development Fund,” Sema said.