Mindanao gets P41B for tourism infrastructure projects

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=938569
• Thursday, November 10, 2016

(PNA), LAP/LCM/DIGNA D. BANZON/LDP

DAVAO CITY (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has earmarked PHP41 billion for 35 inter-regional tourism infrastructure projects in Mindanao for 2017-2019.

This was announced by DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral, who represented DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, during the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Datu Abdul Kahyr Alonto, and DPWH ARMM Regional Secretary Mustapha Loong.

The MOC will institutionalize MinDA and DPWH joint planning and programming for the prioritization and programming of inter-regional roads, bridges, and flood control projects.

Cabral said that of the PHP41 billion, P15.72 billion will fund 18 projects under the 2017 representing 38 percent of the total budget.

To ensure on-schedule project implementation and proper monitoring, an Infrastructure and Monitoring an Advisory Group (IMAG) for big-ticket projects in Mindanao has been created.

On Tuesday, a Memorandum of Agreement was also signed between the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and MinDA.

The Agreement between TIEZA represented by its chief operating officer, Atty. Guiller Asido and MinDA with Secretary Alonto aims to institutionalize the parties' joint planning and programming mechanism for the identification, proposal development, and funding of ecotourism projects in Mindanao.

As agreed, TIEZA shall set the annual budget ceiling for the priority biodiversity and eco-tourism projects in Mindanao using the Mindanao Development Corridor (MDC) framework.

MinDA shall shepherd and serve as the overall oversight agency for the MDC initiative as well as facilitate the development and promotion of the Biodiversity and Ecotourism Cluster (BETC) as an ecotourism destination.

The signing of the memorandum of cooperation by MinDA with its partners DPWH and TIEZA is a solid gesture of institutional collaboration and teamwork for a vibrant ecotourism industry and efficient connectivity and logistics in Mindanao, Alonto said.

Alonto added that the MDC joint planning and programming is one of the mechanisms embraced under the island's development corridor which has been proven as a potent venue where projects are prioritized and funded.