Mindanao lawmakers want ‘national DPWH’ in BARMM

Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman—LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — Eight Mindanaoan lawmakers are pushing for the creation of a National Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

This would ensure the smooth implementation of the DPWH’s national program in the newly created region, Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said.

“Ito ang naisip naming solusyon. ‘Yung mag-create ng isang National DPWH sa BARMM para wala nang sagabal sa full implementation ng national DPWH program sa BARMM,” Hataman said in a statement on Tuesday.

He added that the objective was to ensure the success of BARMM “in all aspects” by anticipating and giving solutions to problems that may arise.

For this purpose, Hataman, along with Maguindanao Reps. Datu Roonie Sinsuat Sr. and Esmael Mangudadatu, Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison, Tawi-Twi Rep. Rashidin Matba, Lanao del Sur Reps. Yasser Alonto Balindong and Ansaruddin Abdul Malik Adiong and Anak Mindanao Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan have filed House Resolution No. 333.

The creation of the National DPWH in BARMM is needed to “ensure that infrastructure projects proceed on time and on schedule,” according to Hataman as he noted the cash-budgeting system that the government has adopted for the 2020 budget.

In the House resolution No. 333, the eight legislators argued that it would be “difficult to expect” the BARMM to deliver the infrastructure projects when the new Bangsamoro government was “limited” only to a minister of public works.

The resolution also noted the reported “phase out” of around 6,000 employees of the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which is due in the last week of December this year.

“It will be extremely difficult for the National Government to deliver its mandate of implementing nationally funded infrastructure in BARMM,” the resolution read.

The eight Mindanaoan lawmakers called on their colleagues in the House of Representatives to support the resolution./ac