Work has begun on World Bank-assisted roading developments in Mindanao, which should reduce transport costs there by at least 10 per cent.
According to a report in the Manila Bulletin, the project is geared to creating a multi-modal, safe, integrated, sustainable, environmentally sound and competitively priced transport system in the region.
“Southern Mindanao is fast becoming the center for agro-industrial business, trade and tourism. Its products, bananas, pineapples, fresh asparagus, and fish products are now being exported abroad,” said Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio L Singson. “These road improvement projects are necessary to transport these agri-products from the production areas to the centers of commerce and trade,” he added.
Under the World Bank-assisted National Roads Improvement and Management Program-Phase II, the DPWH is will improve the 31.476km Malita-Don Marcelino section of the Malalag-Malita-JA Santos; the 53.10km Digos-Kidapawan road section; the 50km Kidapawan-Pagalungan road section; and the 58.22km Pagalungan-Junction Cotabato road section.
Funding will also be made available for landslide risk mitigation work along Digos-Gen Santos City road and Davao-Calinan-Buda road. As well as reducing the recurrence of landslides in this area it will address the problem of roadside settlements, the newspaper reported.
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