ADB loan to finance Mindanao infra projects

At least 11 big-ticket infrastructure projects to be funded by a $380-million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will be constructed in Mindanao in the next six years.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and ADB president Takehiko Nakao recently signed the loan agreement under the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector projects.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said the projects include the construction of eight roads with a total length of 277.23 kilometers in the Zamboanga peninsula.

The loan will also fund the construction of the Malassa-Lupa Pula, Tongsinah-Paniongan and Nalil-Sikki bridges in Tawi-Tawi.

“With the ADB loan, we can utilize more of our budget for other key infrastructure projects,” Villar said.

Construction supplies and materials to be used in the construction of the 23.69-kilometer AliciaMalangas road, 17.1-km Tampilisan-Sandayong road and 37.49-km LutimanGuicam-Olutanga road with a 440-meter bridge will be procured in the first quarter of this year.

The engineering design of five more projects – 55.25km R.T. Lim-Siocon road, 40-km Lanao-Pagadian-IpilZamboanga road, CuruanSibuco road, 34.5-km Siay-Gapol road and the 27.76-km Gutalac-Baliguian alternative road – is 80 percent complete.

“These projects...are in line with the...Build, Build, Build (program) by accelerating infrastructure development to support the development of Mindanao ... increasing the capacity of the Brunei Dar us sal am-Indonesia Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area road network as well as improving and widening existing roads and bridges to upgrade and expand the Philippine road network,” Villar said.