[ Manila Bulletin Online ] January 15, 2009
By NONOY E. LACSON
BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali has submitted a P205 million worth of infrastructure program of works to the Regional Development and Planning Board (RDPB) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) aimed at expediting the infrastructure development of the province.
The project proposal, including its program of works and the corresponding budget, was submitted to ARMM Gov. Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan, chair of the RDPB, during a recent meeting.
Sahali told members and officials of the RDBP that the projects will spin development in the province as it continues to sustain the delivery of social services to the people of Tawi-Tawi.
Sahali said that he is seeking for an P80 million fund for the concreting, rehabilitation and improvement of the Magsaggaw-Lapid Road covering a distance of eight kilometers.
The road, when completed, will connect this town to the municipality of Panglima Sugala, also in Tawi-Tawi Province, and is expected to boost trading activities of both areas.
Sahali said the provincial government has strongly signified its readiness to implement P125 million worth of infrastructure projects under the Provincial Impact Project (PIP) in at least 10 towns in the province.
He identified these projects as: The construction of the R10 million cultural center building in Panglima Sugala town; the concreting of the Tandubas-Ungus Matata Road (4 kilometers) in Tandubas town – P20 million; concreting of the Ubol-Mongkai-Tongusong Road in Simunul town – P10 million; concreting of the Sapa-Sapa-Laum Sicubung Road (3-kms) in Sapa-Sapa town – P15 million;
Ungus2-Tandoh Uwak Road (2kms) in Sibutu town – P10 million; improvement of the Lubbak Parang-Guppah-Duhul Bato Road in Mapun – P20 million; Bakungan boat landing in Turtle Island – P5 milllion; Tarawakan-Tumahubung road opening in Languyan town – P20 million; improvement of the Bongao Sports Complex in Bongao town – P10 million; and the construction of the Sitangkai cultural center in Sitangkai town – P5 million.
Sahali also thanked the United State Assistance for International Development (USAID) for implementing vital infrastructure projects, which are ongoing in this town.