DPWH Mindanao projects inspection runs smoothly
With the presidential appointment of Tingagun Umpa as DPWH Assistant Secretary for ARMM and Mindanao Special Projects, road infrastructure is getting “firsthand” attention from the national government despite skirmishes between the military and rebel forces.
Umpa conducted an on-site inspection of the initial phase of the two road projects in Jolo, Sulu 1st District in Region 9 on March 20.
The inspection was accompanied by two brigades of the Philippine Army and five PNP patrol cars.
Despite an encounter between the opposing forces a kilometer away from the site, the inspection pushed through.
Sources say that this is the first time in decades that a DPWH national official went to the ARMM Mindanao area to personally inspect sound dimensions and detailed speci- fications of road projects.
A hardworking public servant and also appointed as Alternative Representative of the Bangon Marawi SubCommittee, Umpa made a courtesy call to Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra on March 22 prior to entering the war ravaged city.
He called for a coordination symposium between the DPWH national and among the agency’s Region 9, 10, 12 and ARMM officials to strengthen communication links to avoid duplication of infrastructure projects to save government funds.
The symposium will be held on April 6 at the City Garden Suites in Ermita, Manila.