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'No extraction policy' delays infra projects in Zambo Sibugay

By Dennis Baguio

June 17, 2019, 8:11 pm

Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Wilter Palma (right) seeks the assistance of Social Welfare Sec. Rolando Joselito Bautista, the designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development of Region 9, to help address the shortage of construction aggregates in the province. The shortage was due to the policy of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) prohibiting the extraction of gravel and sand one kilometer from existing government infrastructure. Bautista was in the province Friday to attend the  Regional Development Council-Regional Peace and Order Council joint meeting. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Governor's Office)

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) policy prohibiting the extraction of aggregates one kilometer from existing government infrastructure has caused the delay in the implementation of some PHP5.3-billion worth of projects in this province.

Governor Wilter Palma said Monday the delay has affected projects that included road concreting and improvement, and even those under the Build, Build, Build program of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Palma said the DENR policy has long been in place but only implemented recently.

Two of the affected projects included the 23.73-kilometer Alicia-Malangas and 29.10-kilometer Lutiman-Guicam-Olutanga road projects in the first district of this province, the governor said.

The Alicia-Malangas road project costs PHP1.32 billion, including the construction of slope protection and eight bridges.

Palma said the Lutiman-Guicam-Olutanga road project is worth PHP989.16 million. It also includes slope protection, improvement of drainage, installation of road signage, and pavement markings.

The funds for the two projects come from the $380-million Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan under the “improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project” aimed to enhance economic development and peace and order situation in the island of provinces here in Mindanao.

Palma said the two projects are expected to provide direct and indirect benefits to the residents in the three towns--Mabuhay, Olutanga, and Talusan--of Olutanga Island.

He said that PHP2 billion has also been allocated for the construction of a one-kilometer bridge that will connect Barangay Guicam, Alicia to Barangay Hula-Hula, Mabuhay town.

Palma said he has already sought the assistance of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista to bring the problem to the attention of Public Works Sec. Mark Villar and DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu so that the shortage of sand and gravel can be addressed.

Bautista, who was designated as Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) for Region 9, was here Friday when he presided the joint meeting of the Regional Development Council-Regional Peace and Order Council. (PNA)

 

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