P20.8M projects completed

THREE multi-million infrastructure projects implemented and turned over by Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) officials through its Armm Social Fund Project (ASFP) to host government units were completed.

Residents in the three-island villages in Tongkil, Sulu, are rejoicing over the completion of three multi-million vital infrastructure projects that include a Timber Footbridge with Pier Head, Multi-Purpose Center and a Rock causeway (Fishing Port), which the ASFP implemented in Barangays Bangalaw, Sigumbal and Dungon under its Community Development Assistance (CDA) and Strategic Regional Infrastructure (SRI).

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ASFP Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo said that the implementation of the CDA component came about as sought by organized residents, who are empowered to manage the projects "to help uplift their socio-economic condition."

Sinarimbo said the process known as Community Driven Development (CDD) is being adopted by the ASFP for its uniqueness in promoting the "bayanihan" concept, which bonds Filipinos together amid diversities in carrying out beneficial undertakings in their communities.

Sinarimbo said the SRI component is done in partnership with major departments in Armm, which is geared towards the rehabilitation and improvement of various critical regional infrastructures such as hospitals, ports, roads, training and laboratory centers and classroom buildings.

He said the Rock causeway constructed in Dungon forms part of the second batch of SRI projects implemented with the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA).

"Given the short period of out stint, we will continue supporting our people the best that we could as long as we see willingness and commitment to help themselves developed as key to improve their lives," acting Armm Governor Ansaruddin Adiong said.

Benjie Aslim, Treasurer of the People's Organization in Bangalaw, said his group will treasure the project as a legacy from the Adiong administration, which came into power after the fateful 2009 Maguindanao massacre of 57 people, including 31 journalists.

"We are thankful to the Armm Social Fund for giving us not only this project on the basis of our felt-need but also the chance to manage it," Aslim said.

Tongkil Mayor Abdulwahid Sahidullah hoped the ASFP will continue to assist his town in response to his constituents' close collaboration in the implementation of development interventions.

The three projects were funded from a government soft loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) amounting to some P20.8 million.

As of May 2010, 992 villages in 118 towns in Armm have been covered by the ASFP with various projects including 2,184 small-scale infrastructures like tire path, trade centers, health centers, footbridge, mini-wharf, coconut grillers among others.

Jica supplemented the original financier of the ASFP, the World Bank, which provided a loan of US$33 million to the Philippine government. (Bong Garcia)