The thrust of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to prioritize service to the public and the mandate of Department of Public Works and Highways to provide quality infrastructure facilities to improve the life of every Filipino have been the guiding force that has driven DPWH Region IX in accomplishing its goals and objectives for CY 2016.
With a total allocation of P18.51 Billion under the 2016 Infrastructure Program, DPWH Region IX implemented a total of 703 projects - of which 280 were completed, 420 are on-going and 3 are in the pre-construction stage.
As of December 31, 2016, carry-over projects of Region IX include the construction of 850.922 kilometers of roads amounting to P18.86 Billion and 104 Flood Control and Drainage projects amounting to Php1.18B.
A budget of P3.63 Billion was allocated for other infrastructure projects of which P694.58 Million was allotted in improving 84.936 kilometers of farm-to-market roads.
Under the Department of Education’s Basic Facilities Fund (BEFF) 2,365 academic, secondary and senior high school buildings were constructed while 2 projects under PAGCOR Silid Aralan are still on-going.
Six (6) projects are completed while are 24 on-going under Health Facilities Enhancement Program with a total amount of P160.6 Million.
There were 65 projects implemented under the Motors Vehicles Users Charge (MVUC) amounting to P466.86 Million while P159.18 Million was spent for 20 disaster related rehabilitation projects.
One of the highlights of 2016 is the inauguration of the P1.825 Billion Basilan Circumferential Road led by the former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. The 131.8 km stretch BCR has greatly reduced travel time and has benefitted more than 450,000 resident of Basilan.
Another significant project constructed was the 6.668 km Ipil Diversion Road amounting to Php162.68M which will decongest traffic on the main roads of Zamboanga Sibugay and other cities in Zamboanga Peninsula.
To support the intensified campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against illegal drugs, the Regional Office launched a mandatory drug test for its officials and employees. This initiative will surely bolster public trust in the bureaucracy especially so that all the regular employees of RO IX has tested negative for methamphetamine (shabu) and tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana) use, while the job order employees are still awaiting results. Submitting oneself for drug test is a symbolic act that depicts government employees to be upright and trustworthy.
Furthermore, Region IX showed deeper commitment in taking care of the environment by planting new trees to maintain a crucial balance in nature. It is a universal responsibility to protect the environment.
CY 2016 is also a year of transition for the office as it was granted ISO 9001:2008 or Quality Management System Certification on June 23, 2016. All these accomplishments is a joined effort of the men and women of Region IX with the leadership of Regional Director Jorge U. Sebastian, Jr. a LINGKOD BAYAN REGIONAL AWARDEE in the 2016 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees issued by the Civil Service Commission Regional Office IX, Cabatangan, Zamboanga City.
As part of the Executive Branch of the Government, the Department of Public Works and Highways upholds the economic agenda of the President to fast track project implementation and delivery of services in the coming year. Ranked #4 nationwide in CY 2016 implementation of infrastructure projects, Region IX is in a strategic postion to maximize its growth as it moves forward towards 2017. The Office will continually deliver excellent public service and provide quality infrastructure facilities and looking forward to a year full of challenges and success.