CRUCIAL INFRA PROJECTS TO SPUR INCLUSIVE GROWTH IN NORTHERN MINDANAO
It has long been regarded as an ideal business location in Mindanao, owing to its highly diversified economy. Region 10 which has seen sustained economic growth prior to the pandemic, is currently home to one of the largest industrial estates in the country with multinational corporations as its long-term locators. It also boasts of modern international seaport and container terminals, vast agricultural lands, rich natural resources, skilled workforce and extensive networks linking it to various parts of the Mindanao. Opportunities are varied with investors pouring in fresh capital for power generation, tourism, agriculture and food processing, industrial, among many others.
Much, however, can still be done in Northern Mindanao and key to helping spread progress to more areas in this region is infrastructure.
Recognizing the crucial role that infrastructure plays in spurring inclusive economic growth, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under Secretary Mark A. Villar has ensured that Rea gion 10 will have its fair share under the government’s Build, Build, Build initiative.
This is evident from the agency’s accomplishments from 2016 to 2020, during which it constructed 2,917 kilometers of roads, 413 bridges, 237 flood mitigation structures and 9,459 classrooms. Due to the pandemic, the agency also constructed a number of isolation facilities with a total bed capacity of 742.
The DPWH, however, continues to have a pipeline of projects for the region which will further ensure its sustained growth beyond the pandemic. Seven of its high impact projects for this region alone will see the construction of roads that will not only improve connectivity and mobility, but will more importantly stimulate investment opportunities, support trade and commerce, improve access to basic social necessities and ensure inclusive growth.
BUKIDNON-NORTH COTABATO CONNECTOR (PUNTIAN- ARAKAN ROAD)
This proposed 32.07-km road will serve as an inter-regional/provincial road that will link the provinces of Bukidnon and North Cotabato. It is seen to empower the community by providing access to basic social necessities, farm-to-market roads and potential tourism spots.
VALENCIA BYPASS ROAD
This two-lane road project, which stretches about 13 km, will boost existing commercial and agri-industrial industries in Valencia City by ensuring efficient movement of raw material from production to the market centers. This road is also seen to help generate more investment opportunities.
MALAYBALAY BYPASS ROAD
This 18.38-km road will serve as an alternate route for the congested part of Sayre Highway. It will help reduce transport costs, accelerate efficient delivery of farm inputs and enhance special agricultural production and distribution.
CAGAYAN DE ORO COASTAL ROAD
This 27-km project will consist of two sections—the Gusa Igpit Section which will start from Brgy. Gusa in Cagayan de Oro City to Brgy. Igpit in Opol, while the Puerto Gusa Section will run from Brgy. Puerto to Brgy. Gusa. Both sections are seen to help decongest traffic in the existing city roads and support the trade and commerce activity in Misamis Oriental.
CDO-NEW WESTERN DIVERSION ROAD
This project will similarly have two sections —Canito-anCDO Coastal Road Section and Kauswagan-Bonbon Section— which will not only reduce travel time for logistics transport from Cagayan de Oro port to Iligan City, but will also provide accessibility to the city’s central business district.
ILIGAN-CDO CONNECTOR
This 50.57 km road will provide an alternate route to the two highly urbanized cities in Region X—Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City. This will help promote smooth flow of economic activities by developing labor, capital, financial and human mobility between the two cities.
ILIGAN CITY COASTAL BYPASS ROAD
Upon its completion, this 5.37-km road will serve as a coastal bypass that will divert traffic to and from the commercial areas in Iligan City.