DPWH lauded for early completion of road project

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways recently received a commendation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the judicious actions and efforts in facilitating the timely and orderly closure of the JICA-ODA loan for the 105-km Awang-Upi-Lebak-Kalamansig road or Central Mindanao Road Project costing P2.75 billion.

In his letter to Secretary Rogelio Singson, JICA chief representative Takahiro Sasaki said that with the timely submission of JICA’s requirements within the deadline prescribed by JICA head office in Japan for the processing of loan disbursements for the month of December, JICA Philippines did not have to go through extraordinary measures to facilitate the loan disbursements.

“It is our sincere hope that this will become the basic template for the efficient closing of JICA ODA loans in DPWH in the future and we look forward to the day when projects are completed well ahead of the loan closing date without loan extension,” said Sasaki in his letter.

Sasaki thanked the DPWH Rural Road Network Development Project-Project Management Office headed by Director Gil Villanueva, the contractors and project consultants for their collaborative work and joint efforts in completing the project which will contribute to the promotion of peace and development in Central Mindanao.

Sasaki further stated that “with the substantial completion of this road project, what used to be an arduous 4-6 hours trip from Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat to Cotabato City is now a fast and safe trip taking only about 2 hours more or less.”

“Indeed, the people of Central Mindanao can now look forward to a better future knowing fully well that peace and development may now be within reach through this vital road project,” added Sasaki in the letter.

The completion of this road project is part of Singson’s target to achieve President Aquino’s goal of sustained economic growth and poverty reduction by upgrading, improving and rehabilitating the country’s road network to make these national roads 100 percent paved by 2016.