Gov't awards P61.9M projects in Maguindanao, Sulu

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - The government on Monday awarded to private contractors P61.9-million road projects between territories and hotbeds of Islamic militancy to centers of commerce and trade in the provinces of Maguindanao and Sulu.

The projects are the P19.5 million Langhub-Pantao road in the troubled Patikul town in Sulu, and three other farm-to-market roads in Maguindanao --- in Calaan, Buldon, in  Kauran, Ampatuan,  and in Datu Piang, costing P13 million, P15 million, and P14 million, respectively.

The road projects are funded out of “peace grants” from Malacañang’s Mapayapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program.

The PAMANA projects in the ARMM are being implemented jointly by the office of   office of Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao  and different regional line agencies, with the help of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles.

Makmod Mending Jr, ARMM's agriculture secretary,  said the three road projects in Maguindanao will connect known enclaves of Moro rebels covered by the 1997 Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“These projects will make much easier the transport of farm products by Moro peasants in recipient areas to the markets,” Mending said.

Members of the MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front stand to benefit from the road project that would connect Reina Regente District to the Datu Piang town market, according to Mending.  - John Unson