DPWH

THE DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced Thursday the completion of a Japan-funded 18.97-kilometer (km) road rehabilitation project in war-torn Marawi City.

“The Marawi Transcentral Road Phase 1 project that involves the design and build of 18.97-kilometer roads implemented under three contract packages were financed by a 2 billion Japanese Yen or P970.97-million grant to the government of the Philippines by the government of Japan thru JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency),” the department said in a statement.

DPWH said the fund, intended as support to the Marawi rehabilitation and reconstruction program, was also used for the detailed engineering design of another 18.78 kilometers of road sections.

Civil works has started for the additional road projects, which will be funded through an official development assistance loan under JICA’s program for conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

“As you can see now, our government is fulfilling the promise to build back better with a peaceful road to recovery from the suffering due to Marawi siege four years ago,” DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said during the inauguration ceremony on Sept. 29.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa, for his part, said his government recognizes the importance of road infrastructure to Marawi’s recovery by providing improved mobility for people and the transport of goods. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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