MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed a law creating a new district engineering office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Zamboanga City.
Under Republic Act (RA) 11994 signed by Marcos on April 4 and made public on Saturday, the new engineering office of the DPWH will be known as the Zamboanga City First District Engineering Office.
The Zamboanga City First District Engineering Office will be located in the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone - Zamboanga Freeport Authority in Talisayan village.
The existing district engineering office in Zamboanga City, which is located in Barangay Divisoria, will now be known as the Zamboanga City Second District Engineering Office.
According to RA 11994, the new office will serve the villages of Ayala, Baliwasan, Baluno, Cabatangan, Calarian, Camino Nuevo, Campo Islam, Canelar, Capisan, Cawit, Dulian (Upper Pasonanca), La Paz, Labuan, Limpapa, Maasin, Malagutay, Mariki, Pamucutan, Pasonanca, Patalon, Recodo, Rio Hondo, San Jose Cawa-cawa, San Jose Gusu, San Roque, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Maria, Sto. Niño, Sinubung, Sinunuc, Talisayan, Tulungatung, Tumaga, Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4.
On the other hand, the Zamboanga City Second District Engineering Office will serve the villages of Arena Blanco, Boalan, Bolong, Buenavista, Bunguiao, Busao, Cabaluay, Cacao, Calabasa, Culianan, Curuan, Dita, Divisoria, Dulian (Upper Bunguiao), Guisao, Guiwan, Kasanyangan, Lamisahan, Landang Gua, Landang Laum, Lanzones, Lapakan, Latuan, Licomo, Limaong, Lubigan, Lumayang, Lumbangan, Lunzuran, Mampang, Manalipa, Mangusu, Manicahan, Mercedes, Muti, Pangapuyan, Panubigan, Pasilmanta, Pasobolong, Putik, Quiniput, Salaan, Sangali, Sta. Catalina, Sibulao, Tagasilay, Taguiti, Talabaan, Talon-Talon, Taluksangay, Tetuan, Tictapul, Tigbalabag, Tigtabon, Tolosa, Tugbungan, Tumlautab, Tumitus, Victoria, Vitali, and Zambowood.
The new law mandates the DPWH Secretary to include in the department’s program the operationalization of Zamboanga City First and Second District Engineering Offices.
The funding for the two offices will come from the annual General Appropriations Act.
The law was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on March 21, 2023, and Nov. 2, 2023, respectively.
RA 11994 takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. (PNA)
