Tuesday, May 08, 2007 Dureza bares P18-B worth of super region projects
AT LEAST seven major infrastructure projects totaling P18 billion under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Mindanao super region strategy are now ready for taking, according to Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza.
At the 2nd Government Infrastructure Forum held last week at Edsa Shang-rila Hotel, Dureza presented projects that include roads, bridges, irrigation with power generation, and a food complex as having greater economic viability and with high impact on peace.
Dureza, also the development champion for Mindanao super region, said the projects are meant to provide much-needed livelihood opportunities and income sources particularly for families in the conflict-affected and poor communities.
"While standard economic measurements estimate positive dividends for these projects, their actual social and political benefits will simply outweigh the economic gains because of the beneficial impact on peace and security," he stressed.
Topping the list of projects is the Kabulnan-II Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project located in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao, which involves the construction of 80-meter high zoned earth-fill dam that would irrigate a 19,300-hectare service area.
The project will provide supplemental irrigation requirements for 11,000 hectares in the existing Kabulnan-I irrigation system during dry season, and generate 110-megawatts of hydro-electric power to help stabilize power supply in the area. An estimated 9,253 farming families are expected to benefit from this project.
Costing more than P12-billion, the Kabulnan-II Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project is the largest under the Mindanao super region in terms of amount and is being proposed for funding through Official Development Assistance (ODA) and under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) or Build-Transfer (BT) schemes.
Next on the list is the P2.6-billion Panguil Bay Bridge Project to connect and significantly cut travel time to cross Tubod, Lanao del Norte and Tangub, Misamis Occidental. One of the priority projects cited by the President in her State of the Nation Address (Sona) last year, the Panguil Bay Bridge Project is proposed for funding through BOT and will be implemented from 2008-2011.
Another proposed project is the Davao Food Exchange Complex, which will set-up a distribution center for consolidating, processing, packaging and storing agricultural products in Mindanao.
The P1-billion food complex project is proposed for financing through commercial loan, venture capital or ODA. The National Development Company (NDC), City Government of Davao and the Department of Trade and Industry XI shall partner in the implementation of this project, which is slated for implementation from 2007-2012.
Other projects in the list include the Saug River Multi-Purpose Project Phase I in New Corella in Davao del Norte; Sanga-Sanga-Lapid-Lapid-Saldang-Bato-Bato Road and Bridge Project in Tawi-Tawi; Surallah-Lake Sebu-Maitum Road Project in South Cotabato and Sarangani; Lower Sibuguey Valley Irrigation Project in Zamboanga Sibugay.
