Significant and far-reaching impact of infrastructure development is not only felt in Luzon but also on the lives of many Filipinos in Mindanao.
Citing a 2021 accomplishment report from DPWH Region 9 Director Cayamombao Dia, Secretary Roger G. Mercado said that 276 projects have been completed and under construction are 482 more in Zamboanga Peninsula.
DPWH Region 9 has a programmed amount of ₱14.733 Billion for infrastructure for the Fiscal Year 2021.
According to Senior Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut, overall in-charge of Regional Operations, the massive allocation for infrastructure in Region 9 has now seen the development of high impact projects.
The 68.295 kilometer Siocon-Sirawai-Sibuco-Limpapa Road connecting the three (3) municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte to Zamboanga City set to be finished by 2022, will provide easy transport of agricultural products and effectively reduce travel time from five (5) hours to one (1) hour and 30 minutes between Siocon and Zamboanga City.
Another high-impact project is the 79.346 kilometer Sindangan Bayog Lakewood Road that will effectively reduce travel time from six (6) hours to two (2) hours once completed and will connect the two (2) provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.
The 17.22 kilometer Zamboanga City Diversion Road that stretches from Barangay Cabaluay up to Barangay Sta. Catalina will serve as an alternate road to Pagadian City – Zamboanga City – an established priority corridor located in Zamboanga City. When fully completed, this diversion road will reduce travel time from one (1) hour and 30 minutes to 20 minutes and will benefit 8,277 travelers per day.
An on-going alternate road also of Pagadian City – Zamboanga City Road is the Buenavista-Bolong Coastal Bypass Road Project which will connect road leading to a wharf, where boats ferry and transport tourist to the famous 11 islands dock.
The 28.482 kilometer Ayala - La Paz Road, a convergence project of DPWH and the Department of Tourism, provided accessibility to Ayala-La Paz Resort by connecting the tourist site to NRJ Ayala – La Paz Road, Zamboanga City.
The road facilitates safer, better, faster and easier access to Nancy Falls and other tourist spots located in the area.
With these infra projects, DPWH is providing the opportunity of enhancing the quality of lives and alleviating poverty even at the once sleepy towns and far-flung areas of Mindanao.