Ongoing infra projects in ARMM continues even with BOL: NEDA

MANILA — Implementation of ongoing infrastructure projects in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will continue even with the Bangsamoro Organic Law’s (BOL) enactment, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said on Thursday.

“Those that are currently ongoing, especially funded by loans most likely we will just allow them to continue as they are now,” NEDA Undersecretary for Investment Programming Rolando Tungpalan said in a press briefing.

Tungpalan said the implementation arrangement for projects between national and local Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) established through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) will “just continue for a time.”

“But those that have yet to be started, I guess it is where we have to discuss how it will be funded and how it will be affected,” he said.

Under the Public Investment Program (PIP) 2017 to 2022, the ARMM has the highest infrastructure investment to gross regional domestic product (GRDP) at 17.51 percent. This was followed by Bicol and Caraga regions at 14.59 percent and 12.48 percent, respectively.

The government has 1,340 projects in ARMM, almost a third of total 4,490 projects in the PIP.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the NEDA will review some infrastructure and development projects in ARMM after the BOL becomes a law.

“We will have to review our plans in terms of the new landscape. We haven’t done that yet because the law has yet to be implemented. But there would be some changes, which shouldn’t be too drastic. It’s only the new Bangsamoro region,” he said.

For her part, NEDA Undersecretary for Regional Development Adoracion Navarro noted that a change in implementation strategy will not only apply to infrastructure projects, but other projects of other sectors as well.

“NEDA and other government agencies have to brainstorm how the devolution will take place and that this will entail capacity building for local government units. And NEDA will be helping the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) in technical assistance in provinces,” she said.

Meanwhile, the BOL, which would enable the creation of a new Bangsamoro political entity replacing the ARMM, was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte Thursday evening.