By Franklin P. Gumapon
PAGADIAN CITY – A project monitoring team from the Department of Interior and Local
Government-Office of the Project Development Services (DILG-OPDS) in region 9
has recently joined PAyapa at MAsaganang PAmayaNAn-Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu
Tawi-Tawi (PAMANA-ZAMBASULTA) area coordinator Vicente Borgonia in inspecting
the bridge project in a conflict-affected area in Zamboanga Sibugay.
DILG-9 Information
Officer Lemuel Mejares told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that the
monitoring team went to Barangay Datu Tumanggong in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay
to check the construction of the bridge abutment in preparation for the
installation of a steel bridge.
This project is
implemented under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) “Tulay ng
Pangulo (President’s bridge)” program with an allocation of P2.5 million.
Mejares said the bridge
project, which is constructed in the so-called territory of the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF), aims to provide the community access to the urban
centers. Once completed, the bridge would help cut down the cost in
transporting farm products to the markets.
Before proceeding to
the project site, the team together with the Barangay Captain and a Barangay
Kagawad (councilor) got a clearance from an MILF checkpoint to enter the place.
The group was then accompanied by an armed MILF combatant to the area.
Barangay Datu
Tumanggong is also a recipient of a P10 million-water system project under the
Salintubig (Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat) program in 2011.
DILG-OPDS was represented
by Engr. Rey Neo with Information Officer Mejares. (PIA9)